Grand Prince Vsevolod“big jack”
One of the biggest battles of the civil wars of ancient Russia occurred 21 April 1216 the year when the river Lipica. The causes of the conflict lay in the fact, that Prince Vsevolod Big Nest for faults denied inheritance eldest son Constantine Rostov and Vladimir handed table youngest son, Yuri Vsevolodovich.
With such a father did not agree with the decision and even felt insulted Constantine. After the death of his father, he did not attend the funeral, Furthermore, He started the war with Yuri and the other younger brother - Yaroslav. AT 1216 by Constantine allied with Mstislav Delete, Novgorod, smolyanami, the people of Pskov and citizens went to war against Yuri and Yaroslav.
Thus began a real fratricidal war. As a chronicler wrote,, "Worst was a miracle and a wonder, brothers: We went to the sons of his father, fathers on children, brother brother, slaves to the lord, and Mr. slaves ".
19 April 1216 , Yuri sent a formal proposal to fight enemies in Lipica. Constantine came to Mstislav and Vladimir to the meeting. The discussion was long. In the end, we decided to accept the challenge. His call to battle Yuri reached double effect. At first, determination of Vladimir prince raised the spirit of the wavering supporters. Secondly, he provoked the enemy to move to St George's grief, and he strengthened the dominant position on the. With Avdovoy mountains Yuri was free to observe the actions of the enemy. In the event of an attack Yuri army had the advantage of position. In addition to the height he helped thickets, covering the approaches from the south. They are additionally reinforced with stakes and netting. If Rostislavichi and Constantine tried to get away in front of the enemy, they would recognize the moral defeat. Besides, Suzdal is easy to notice the waste and could hit the rear of the outgoing Army. Yuri clearly hoped to sit out the opponent in a comfortable position.
Yuri opponents tried to lure him into the plain. Three of Ambassador Vladimir princes offered alternative. Either the Jury will depart on a flat area, or Rostislavichi and Konstantin will move back, to Lipica, Suzdal and take the place of their camp. Yuri was not going to play in the jousts and refused.
Preserved are two versions of the battle order of troop. According to a brief report the First Novgorod Chronicle, Mstislav of Novgorod and fought with the regiment Yaroslav, and Yuri stood against Constantine. the chronicles 15-16 ages, Vladimir Smolensky put its shelves with the edge. He opposed Yaroslav with his troops, Murom, gorodchanami and Brodnikov. Next was Mstislav with Novgorod. Against them located Jury "with all the land of Suzdal '. On the second flank against each other were Constantine Rostovtsev and soldiers younger brothers George. It is also reported, that Yuri was 13 styahov, 60 pipes and drums, and in Yaroslav - 17 styahov, 40 pipes and drums. Banner (banner) corresponds to division. The chroniclers did not specify, with a description of the construction wing begins. probably, they did not know. Nevertheless, you can make some assumptions. known, that after the battle the defeated fled first to the southwest, in the direction of St. George. This indicates, Smolensk that occupied the right flank, since a decisive role in the defeat of Yuri played attack Smolensk and Novgorod, overturned one wing of the enemy.
Entry into battle Mstislav Udatnogo. Miniature from the Illuminated Chronicle of XVI century
you must say, that in ancient times and the Middle Ages by a significant moral influence on the army were speech, spoken generals to soldiers, or part of them before the battle. 21 April 1216 , these parting words were doubly necessary Rostislavich and Constantine. From courage of their associates success depended on the attack against the enemy, It takes more than a good position. Mstislav and Vladimir Rurikovich addressed the Novgorod and resin. Chroniclers give it Novgorod prince. Its details can be composed by the chroniclers, but the general sense is well suited for this situation. Mstislav reminded Novgorod, that they are in a hostile, mighty earth and must fight bravely, trusting in God and forgetting about the homes and families. Mstislav of Novgorod militia offered to choose, fight on foot or on horseback. Novgorod polls dismounted and took off his shoes. Young Smolensk followed suit, others Vladimir Smolensky sent the infantry on horseback led by Ivor Mikhailovich. Horse heavily armed squads princes moved back. Mstislav was glad the choice of Novgorod. From a purely military point of view it was more convenient infantry to move up on a slippery slope by rain. Yaroslav and, probably, Yuri stood in front of the infantry. it was quite logical to use it against infantry, and not to lose horses and men squads selected. Equally important are other motives. The militiamen often psychologically unstable in combat, and the rider is easier to resist the temptation to escape. Infantryman is hard to get away from persecution cavalry, which gives additional incentives for resistance.
In the battle on the river Lipica 21 April 1216 , Yuri and Yaroslav defeated, although on the eve of Suzdal boasted, Despite the barefoot army of Novgorod: "Yes, we have them seated Throwing!" The thing is, Novgorod that went into battle on foot, besides half-naked, throwing off the extra clothes and shoes. Before the battle, they shouted: "Forget, brothers, at home, wives and children!"It was like an attack of Scandinavian knights - Berserkers, which also went into battle naked and barefoot,, intoxicated special narcotic infusion, dulls the fear and pain. unknown, because of this, or something else, but the victory was complete Novgorod.
Battle dramatically changed the political situation in the north-east Russia. Yuri attempts to organize the defense of Vladimir met with a flat refusal on the part of the city's population. On Sunday, 24 April, Winners have come to Vladimir, and Tuesday, 26 April, Yuri went out of the gate and obeyed his older brother. Constantine was recognized as a great prince of Vladimir. Yury he left town Radilov (Gorodets) on the Volga. On Friday 4 th week after Easter, 29 April, Constantine and his allies headed toward Pereyaslavl, sat down where Yaroslav. He was also unable to defend themselves, and on Tuesday followed the example of Yuri. Strife in the north of Russia finished. Constantine was the prince of Vladimir until his death in 1218 year. Novgorod for a while segregated from the Vladimir-Suzdal, and the Smolensk princely family for several years has strengthened its leading position in Russia.
Gabriel Tsobehiya
