At what time did the Battle of the Neva take place? Battle of the Neva: its causes, course of the battle and significance
The Battle of the Neva in 1240 not only gave Rus' a new saint - Prince Alexander Nevsky. Her historical meaning– in preventing the aggressive feudal lords of Northern Europe from seizing significant Russian territories.
Reasons and background
The reasons for the Battle of the Neva in 1240 lie in the policy of “pressure to the east” pursued in the 12th-13th centuries by the top of the Northern European countries (primarily Germany, Sweden and Denmark). Slavic peoples They were considered by them as “savages”, unnecessarily occupying significant land. The situation was aggravated by the religious factor - Rome called on the knights of Northern Europe not just to war, but to a crusade against the “schismatics” (in 1054, a formally united Christian church as a result of the “schism” it was officially divided into Catholic and Orthodox). The transformation of robbery into a charitable deed is a common ideological device of the era of the Crusades.
The events of 1240 were not the first conflict - wars had been fought intermittently since the 9th century. However, in the century the situation changed in favor of the invaders from the West - Rus' was forced to repel the Mongol invasion, suffered defeats, and its military power was in doubt.
Failure of Swedish plans
The goals of the parties in the war of 1240 are obvious. The Swedes needed to cut off Russian possessions from Finnish lands and the Baltic coast. This made it possible to further advance inland, as well as control over maritime trade, a significant part of which was in the hands of Novgorod and Pskov merchants. In turn, Rus' could not allow the loss of the coast and the prolongation of the conflict in the West in the face of serious problems with the Mongols in the southeast.
The Swedish army, having entered the Neva on ships, settled down at the confluence of the Izhora into it. From the available descriptions, it can be understood that the commanders (Jarl Ulf Fosi and the royal son-in-law Birger) intended to calmly land and then advance deeper into the Novgorod possessions.
But the course of the battle immediately turned not in favor of the Swedes - the battle went according to Prince Alexander’s plan. It took place on July 15th. The reasons for the Russian victory in the Battle of the Neva lie in several factors at once - good reconnaissance work, speed and surprise.
The scout was Pelgusy, an Izhora foreman, who promptly reported to Novgorod about the approach of an enemy army. Prince Alexander decided to attack as quickly as possible, while part of the enemy army had not yet unloaded from the ships. His army consisted of a princely equestrian squad and a foot city militia. The blow was delivered in two directions at once - to the center of the enemy camp and along the river bank, which made it possible to cut off the people on the ships from the command.
History has preserved the names of some of the participants in the battle - the warrior Gavrila Oleksich, who boarded the Swedish ship on horseback, and the militia Savva. This ax managed to cut down the supports of Birger's tent. He fell on the royal son-in-law's head, causing panic in the Swedish ranks.
East is a delicate matter
The results of the Battle of the Neva were of little comfort to the invaders - they suffered a crushing defeat. History awarded the young winner (Alexander was 20 years old) with the nickname Nevsky. He consolidated his success 2 years later, winning a brilliant victory on Lake Peipsi.
Although Rus' soon lost access to the Baltic, the importance of the Battle of the Neva does not diminish from this. As a result of the victory, the “onslaught to the east” was stopped, and most of the North Russian lands retained their independence.
The legendary Russian commander Alexander Nevsky won military glory in several battles, which will be discussed in this article. An entire literary story was written about his life and deeds, and he also received the honor of being canonized by the church after his death. The name of this man inspired many generations living several centuries later. It can be assumed that the commander’s talent was passed on to Prince Dmitry Donskoy, whose great-grandfather was Alexander Nevsky. The Battle of Kulikovo, where his great-grandson won a brilliant victory, became the first serious defeat of the Tatar-Mongol troops and the complete defeat of Mamai’s hordes.
Background
Still unknown exact date the birth of Alexander Yaroslavich, whom the people later nicknamed Nevsky. According to one version, he was born in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky in May, and according to another - in November 1220. He was the second son of Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who was the great-grandson of Monomakh. Almost all of Alexander’s childhood and youth were spent in Novgorod.
In 1225, Prince Yaroslav performed the rite of princely tonsure, or initiation into warriors, over his sons. After this, his father left Alexander and his older brother in Veliky Novgorod, and he himself went to Pereyaslavl-Zalessky on urgent matters. His children were placed in a great reign, which took place under the supervision of trusted boyars led by Fyodor Danilovich.
In 1233, an unexpected event occurred. The eldest son of Prince Yaroslav, Fedor, died. Soon, Alexander’s first military campaign against Dorpat, which at that time was in the hands of the Livonians, took place. The march, led by his father, ended with the victory of Russian weapons on the Omovzha River.
3 years after the death of his eldest son, Yaroslav left to rule in Kyiv, the capital of all Rus'. It was from this moment that Alexander became a full-fledged prince of Novgorod. At the beginning of his reign, he was exclusively concerned with strengthening his city. In 1239, his father married him to the daughter of Bryachislav, the Prince of Polotsk, and already in next year Alexander gave birth to his first child, who was named Vasily.
Reasons for the attack
It must be said that the Pskov and Novgorod lands were practically free from Tatar-Mongol rule. Therefore, they were famous for their wealth: fur-bearing animals were found in abundance in the forests, merchants were extremely enterprising, and artisans were known as great craftsmen. It is not surprising that these territories were constantly encroached upon by greedy neighbors: Lithuania, Swedish feudal lords and German crusading knights. The latter constantly went on military campaigns, either to the promised land or to Palestine.
Gregory IX, the then Pope, blessed the European knights for the war with the pagans, which, in their opinion, included the inhabitants of the Novgorod and Pskov lands. He absolved the soldiers in advance of all the sins they committed during their campaigns.
Enemy plans
Alexander Nevsky's first battle as a commander took place in 1240. He was only 20 years old then. It should be noted that the Swedes began to prepare for war 2 years before it began. They were the first to attempt to conquer Russian lands. To do this, in 1238, King Erich Burr of Sweden enlisted the support and blessing of the Pope to begin a Crusade against the Principality of Novgorod. And according to established tradition, those who took part in hostilities were guaranteed remission of all sins.
A year later, the Germans and the Swedes were engaged in intensive negotiations regarding the offensive plan. It was decided that the first would go to Novgorod through Pskov and Izborsk, and the second, who had already captured Finland, would come from the north, from the Neva River. The Swedish warriors were commanded by the king's son-in-law, Jarl (Prince) Birger, who later founded Stockholm, and Ulf Fasi. In addition, the crusaders were also going to convert the Novgorodians to the Catholic faith, and this was considered more terrible Mongol yoke. Alexander Nevsky also knew about these plans. The Battle of the Neva was thus a foregone conclusion.
Offensive
Summer 1240. Birger's ships appeared on the Neva and stopped at the mouth of the Izhora River. His army consisted not only of Swedes. It also included Norwegians and representatives of Finnish tribes. In addition, the conquerors took with them Catholic bishops, who carried a cross in one hand and a sword in the other. Birger intended to get to Ladoga, and from there go down to Novgorod.
The Swedes and their allies landed on the shore and set up camp in the area where Izhora flows into the Neva. After this, Birger sent a message to the Novgorod prince declaring war on him. It turned out that Alexander Yaroslavich learned about the arrival of the Swedes before this message was delivered to him. He decides to suddenly attack the enemy. There was no time to gather a large army, so the prince set out against the enemy with his army, supplementing it a little with Novgorod volunteers. But before setting off on a campaign, he, according to ancient custom, visited St. Sophia Cathedral, where he received a blessing from Bishop Spyridon.
Birger was completely confident in his military superiority and did not even suspect that he might be subject to a surprise attack, so the Swedes' camp was not guarded. On the morning of July 15, he was attacked by the Russian army. It was commanded by Alexander Nevsky himself. The Battle of the Neva, which began so suddenly, took Birger by surprise. He did not even have time to line up his army for battle and provide organized resistance.
Battle of Alexander Nevsky with the Swedes
Immediately, Russian troops, using the element of surprise, began to push the enemy back to the river. Meanwhile, foot militia were cutting down the bridges that connected the Swedish ships to the shore. They even managed to capture and destroy several enemy ships.
It must be said that the Russian troops fought selflessly. According to the chronicle, Prince Alexander himself killed countless Swedes. The Battle of Neva showed that Russian warriors were strong and very brave warriors. Numerous facts testify to this. For example, Novgorodian Sbyslav Yakunovich, with only one ax in his hands, boldly rushed into the midst of his enemies, while mowing them down left and right. Another of his compatriots, Gavrilo Oleksich, chased Birger himself to the ship, but he was thrown into the water. He rushed into battle again. This time he managed to kill the bishop, as well as one of the noble Swedes.
Results of the battle
During the battle, Novgorod volunteers sank Swedish ships. The surviving remnants of the troops, led by Birger, fled on the surviving ships. Russian losses were very insignificant - only 20 people. After this battle, the Swedes loaded three ships with the bodies of only some nobles, and abandoned the rest on the shore.
The victory won during the battle showed everyone that Russian army has not lost its former valor and will be able to adequately defend its land from attacks external enemy. Success in this battle also contributed to the increase in military authority that Alexander Nevsky gained for himself. The Battle of the Neva also had enormous political significance. The plans of the German and Swedish conquerors at this stage were thwarted.
Battle of Alexander Nevsky - Battle of the Ice
The Knights of the Livonian Order invaded Russian lands in the summer of that year. They approached the walls of Izborsk and took the city by storm. After that, they crossed the Velikaya River and set up camp right under the walls of the Pskov Kremlin. They besieged the city for a whole week, but it didn’t come to an assault: the residents themselves surrendered it. After this, the knights took hostages and left their garrison there. But the Germans' appetites were growing, and they were not going to stop there. The crusaders gradually approached Novgorod.
Prince Alexander gathered an army and in March 1242 went on a campaign again. Soon he was already near Pskov with his brother Andrei Yaroslavich and his Suzdal squad. They surrounded the city and captured the knightly garrison. The Novgorod prince decided to transfer military operations to enemy territory. In response to this, the Order assembled a large army, which included almost all of its knights and bishops, as well as Swedish soldiers.
The two warring parties met on April 5 of the same year near Lake Peipsi. The Germans chose a poor position for attack. In addition, they expected that the Russian troops would deploy in the usual order, but Alexander Nevsky was the first to decide to break such a stereotype. The Battle of the Lake ended with the complete victory of the Russians and the encirclement of the Germans. Those who managed to escape from the ring ran across the ice, and on the opposite bank they fell under it, since the warriors were wearing heavy knightly armor.
Consequences
The result of this battle is the conclusion of a peace treaty between the Order and the Novgorod principality. The Germans were forced to return all previously conquered territories. In addition, the battle of Alexander Nevsky with the crusader troops on Lake Peipsi was unique in its own way. For the first time in the history of military art, troops consisting of by and large from one infantry, they managed to defeat the heavy knightly cavalry.
Canonization and veneration
In November 1283, returning from the Golden Horde, Prince Alexander suddenly fell ill and soon died within the walls of the Gorodets Monastery. But before that, he managed to accept the monastic schema under the name Alexia. His remains were supposed to be transported to Vladimir. The journey from the monastery to the city lasted 9 days, during which the body remained incorrupt.
The merits of Prince Alexander Yaroslavich were appreciated. Russian Orthodox Church canonized him in 1547. And under Catherine I, the Order of Alexander Nevsky was established - one of the highest awards in Russia.
The battle of Alexander Nevsky with the Swedish conquerors, and then with the knights of the Livonian Order, made it possible to preserve not only the cultural heritage of Rus', but also the Orthodox faith, preventing the establishment of the Catholic Church led by the Pope on this land.
The name of Alexander Nevsky is known to every schoolchild these days. Today we associate this image with valor, the military successes of the Slavs in the Middle Ages, the successful defense of Russian territories and Orthodoxy.
Brief biography of Alexander Nevsky
Alexander was the second son of the Kyiv and Vladimir prince Yaroslav, as well as
grandson of the most famous prince of Galicia and Novgorod Mstislav Udatny. Already in early age Alexander takes princely tonsure - a symbolic dedication to a warrior, protector Orthodox faith. The young prince spends almost all of his childhood in Novgorod. In the same city, his reign began as the deputy of his father, the Grand Duke. Alexander's achievement of the age when he could already fully lead his squad into battle coincided with turbulent times in the north-west of the Russian lands. This was an era of attacks not only against the Saracens of the East, but also against Orthodox Christians. Knightly Catholic armies in the second half of the 1230s invaded the northwestern lands, plundering the local population and seizing territory.
Battle of Alexander Nevsky with the Swedes
Like many princes of medieval Rus', Alexander spent a significant part of his life on military campaigns. Thus, the confrontation in 1240 with the Swedes on the Neva River gave him his actual nickname, which we all know very well today. This massacre was the result of many years of conflict between Novgorod and the Swedish state for control over the territories of Izhora and the Karelian Isthmus, as well as power over the tribes inhabiting these lands. Each side sought to baptize the pagans in its own way. The news of the glorious victory of the Russian squad brings to us. However, the course of the battle is told very briefly. Be that as it may, this battle of Alexander Nevsky stopped the advance of the Swedes to the south and gave the princes the opportunity to gather forces for decisive battles with other opponents. Perhaps a more serious threat were the German crusaders of the Livonian and Teutonic Orders.
Battle of Alexander Nevsky on Lake Peipus
This episode military history better known as Grozny
the opponents were clad in heavy armor. The talented commander lined up his army in such a way that during the battle he managed to surround the flanks of his opponents and force them to make room. The outcome of this battle is well known. The ice of Lake Peipus could not withstand the load of the army of retreating heavily armed soldiers, as a result of which many of them died in cold water. The battle of Alexander Nevsky on Lake Peipus made it possible to preserve the cultural image of Rus', preventing Western European cultural paradigms from being imposed on the local population, like the Poles, Czechs or Croats. The feat of the Grand Duke seems especially important in light of the fact that it was during this period that Rus' was greatly weakened by the Mongol invasion. Today’s historians draw a significant part of the commander’s biography from the most valuable document of the thirteenth century, called “The Life of St. Alexander Nevsky.” This document was apparently written by one of the monks of the monastery in Vladimir, where the relics of the canonized prince were buried.
The Battle of Neva is a battle on the Neva River, between the Novgorod army under the command of the Novgorod prince Alexander Yaroslavich and the Swedish army, which took place on July 15, 1240.
Battle of the Neva - briefly (review of the article)
Before the battle: 1240, summer - the Swedish flotilla led by Ulf Fasi and the son-in-law of King Eric XI Birger Magnusson entered the mouth of the Neva.
Goal: mastery of the Neva, Ladoga in the lower reaches of the Volkhov, and then Novgorod.
Progress of the battle: 1240, July 15, morning - the Russians suddenly attacked the Swedes. The Swedish army was dismembered by an unexpected attack into several large and small units, which the Novgorodians began to destroy, pressing them to the shore one by one. The Swedes fled to their ships and moved away from the shore, losing more than 200 noble warriors in the battle, and others “innumerable.”
The meaning of the victory: this battle began the struggle of Rus' to maintain access to the sea, very important for the future of the Russian people. The victory prevented the loss of the shores of the Gulf of Finland and prevented the end of trade exchanges with other states, thereby making it easier for the Russian people to fight for the overthrow Tatar-Mongol yoke. She stopped Swedish aggression to the east for a long time and retained access to the Baltic coast for Russia.
And now more details...
Causes
In the 1230s, a formidable danger from the West loomed over Russia. German crusaders (knights of the Teutonic Order and the Order of the Sword, who united in 1237 in Livonian Order), carrying out widespread forced colonization and Christianization of the Baltic tribes, approached the borders of Rus'. Meanwhile, the Swedes, having subjugated the Finnish tribes Sumy and Em, did not abandon their long-standing claims to the Novgorod lands - the Neva and Ladoga regions. The main organizer of campaigns with the aim of conquering Russian lands was the head catholic church- Pope, who sought to unite the forces of the Order, the bishops of Riga and Dorpat, as well as Sweden and Denmark.
How it all began
The Swedish and German knights took advantage of the fact that after the devastation of North-Eastern Rus' by the Mongols, Novgorod and Pskov had nowhere to expect help, they intensified their expansion in North-Western Rus', counting on an easy victory. The Swedes made the first attempt to conquer Russian lands. 1238 - the Swedish king received a “blessing” from the Pope for a crusade; against the Novgorodians. Everyone who agreed to take part in the campaign was promised absolution.
1239 - the Swedes negotiated with the Germans, outlining a campaign plan: the Swedes, who had captured Finland at that time, were to attack Novgorod from the north, from the Neva River, and the Germans - through Izborsk and Pskov. The Swedish government of King Erich Burt allocated an army for the campaign under the command of Jarl (Prince) Ulf Fasi and the royal son-in-law, Birger.
Meanwhile, Alexander, the son of the Grand Duke of Vladimir Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, reigned in Novgorod. He was an intelligent, energetic and brave man. Alexander was already known as a skilled politician and understood that the weakened Russian principalities did not have the strength to fight on two fronts. Therefore, the prince tried to maintain peaceful relations with the Tatars, thereby ensuring a safe rear in the event of a fight against German-Swedish aggression.
The Novgorodians knew about the plans of the Swedes, as well as the fact that they boasted of baptizing them, like pagans, into the Latin faith (Catholicism). The Swedes seemed to them more terrible than the Mongols, because they were going to instill an alien faith.
On the eve of the battle
1240, summer - the Swedish army under the command of Birger, “in great strength, puffing with a military spirit,” appeared on the Neva River on ships stationed at the mouth of the river. Izhora. The army included Swedes, Norwegians, and representatives of Finnish tribes, who intended to go straight to Ladoga and from there go down to Novgorod. There were also Catholic bishops in the enemy army; they walked with a cross in one hand and a sword in the other.
Having landed, the Swedes and their allies pitched their tents at the confluence of the Izhora and the Neva. “Bridges were thrown from the moored ships, the Swedish nobility came ashore, including Birger and Ulf Fasi, accompanied by bishops, ... knights landed behind them” (V.T. Pashuto) Birger, without doubting his victory, sent to Prince Alexander with the statement: “If you can resist me, then I’m already here, fighting your land.”
The Novgorod borders were guarded in those days by “watchmen”. They were also on sea coast, where local tribes served. So, in the Neva area, on both banks of the Gulf of Finland, there was a “sea guard” of the Izhorians, who guarded the routes to Novgorod from the sea. The social elite of this small people already owned the land and adopted Christianity. One day at dawn of a July day in 1240, the elder of the Izhora land, Pelgusius, while on patrol, discovered a Swedish flotilla and hastily sent to inform the prince about everything.
Having received news of the enemy's appearance, Alexander decided to attack him unexpectedly. There was no time to organize the army, and convening the meeting would have delayed the matter and could have led to the disruption of the surprise of the impending attack. Therefore, Alexander did not wait until his father’s squads arrived or warriors from the Novgorod volosts gathered. He decided to oppose the Swedes with his squad, strengthening it with Novgorod volunteers. These were no less than three detachments of noble Novgorodians who had their own squads, and a Ladoga detachment.
According to ancient custom, they gathered at St. Sophia, prayed, received a blessing from their ruler Spyridon and set out on a campaign. They walked along the Volkhov to Ladoga, where the Novgorod prince was joined by a detachment of Ladoga residents, contractors of Veliky Novgorod. From Ladoga, Alexander’s army turned left, heading towards the mouth of the river. Izhora.
“Duel between Alexander Nevsky and Birger” (F. Moller 1856)
Progress of the Neva Battle
The Swedish camp, located at the mouth of the Izhora, was not guarded, because the Swedes did not suspect the approach of the Russians. The enemy boats rocked, tied to the shore; all along the coast there were white tents and between them was the golden-topped tent of Birger. 1240, July 15 at 11 o'clock the battle began. The Novgorodians unexpectedly attacked the Swedes. Their attack was so sudden that the Swedes did not have time to “gird their swords around their loins.”
Birger's troops were taken by surprise. Unable to form up for battle, they were unable to provide organized resistance. With a bold onslaught, the Russian squad passed through the enemy camp and drove the Swedes to the shore. The foot militia, moving along the bank of the Neva, not only cut down the bridges connecting the Swedish ships with land, but was even able to capture and destroy three enemy augers.
The Battle of the Neva lasted until evening; By nightfall the opponents dispersed. The Swedes were defeated, and by morning they retreated on the surviving ships and crossed to the other side.
The withdrawal of the remnants of the Swedish army was not prevented. Whether the knightly methods of fighting had an effect here, which made it possible to bury their own during a respite, or the Novgorodians considered further bloodshed in vain, or the prince of Novgorod did not want to risk his army that had suffered losses - none of these explanations should be excluded.
Losses
The losses of the Novgorodians were insignificant, only 20 wealthy warriors (to this number we must add their dead warriors). While the Swedes loaded three ships with the bodies of only the initial people, and left the rest on the shore. In addition, according to the Life, on the other bank of the Neva the next day, the local population discovered many unburied bodies of Swedes.
The meaning of the battle
The victory over the Swedish army was of great political significance. She was able to show all the Russian people that they had not yet lost their former valor and could stand up for their land. The Swedes were unable to cut off Novgorod from the sea or capture the coast of the Neva and the Gulf of Finland. Having repelled the attack of the Swedes from the north, the Russians thwarted the possible interaction of the Swedish and German feudal lords. To combat German aggression, the right flank and rear of this theater of operations were now reliably secured.
In tactical terms, it is necessary to note the role of the “watchman” who discovered the enemy and promptly informed the prince of his appearance. The factor of surprise was important in the attack on Birger's camp, whose army was taken by surprise and was unable to provide organized resistance. The chronicler noted the extraordinary courage of Russian soldiers. For this victory, Alexander Yaroslavich was nicknamed “Nevsky”. By that time he was only 22 years old.
But the victory in the Battle of the Neva calmed the vigilance of many Novgorodians. Due to the fear of strengthening the role of the prince in Novgorod affairs, intrigues began against Alexander Nevsky on the part of the boyars. The winner of the Swedes had to leave Novgorod for a while and go to his father.
On July 15, 1240, an epoch-making battle took place on the Neva River. Russian troops under the command won a crushing victory over the Swedish army. After this event, Alexander received the famous nickname Nevsky. This name is known to every Russian to this day.
Background
The Battle of the Neva River in 1240 did not start spontaneously. It was preceded by a number of important political and historical events.
In the first half of the 13th century, the Swedes, united with the Novgorodians, carried out regular raids on Finnish tribes. They called them punitive campaigns, the purpose of which was to subjugate everything to their will. more people. The Sumy and Em tribes suffered the most from the Swedes. This became the cause of protracted conflicts. The Swedes feared a blow from the Finns, so they sought to baptize them and make them their allies.
The conquerors did not stop there. They periodically carried out predatory raids on the lands along the Neva, as well as directly on Novgorod territory. Sweden was significantly weakened by internal conflicts, so it sought to attract as many warriors and nobles as possible to its side. They did not hesitate to persuade those who liked easy money to win over to their side. For a long time, Finno-Karelian troops raided Swedish lands, and in 1187 they completely united with the Novgorodians. They burned Sigtuna, the ancient capital of Sweden.
This confrontation lasted for a long time. Each side, both Swedish and Russian, sought to establish its power on the Izhora land, which was located along the Neva, as well as on the Karelian Isthmus.
A significant date preceding such a famous event as the Battle of the Neva River was the proclamation of the second crusade to Finland by Pope Gregory IX in December 1237. In June 1238, King Waldemar II of Denmark and Master of the United Order Hermann von Balck agreed to divide the Estonian state, as well as to begin military operations against Rus' in the Baltic states with the involvement of the Swedes. This is what provoked the Battle of the Neva River. The date, the events of which are still known today, became the starting point in the history of Rus' and its relations with neighboring states. The battle showed the ability of our state to repel the powerful army of the enemy. It should be taken into account that the Battle of the Neva River took place at a difficult time. Russian lands have just begun to recover after many years Mongol invasion and the strength of the troops was significantly weakened.
Battle of the Neva River: sources
Historians have to collect information about such ancient events literally bit by bit. Many researchers are interested in the date of such events as the Battle of the Neva River. The battle is briefly described in chronological documents. Of course, such sources are few in number. One of the most famous can be called the Novgorod First Chronicle. Information can also be gleaned from the story about the life of Alexander Nevsky. It is assumed that it was written by contemporaries of those events no later than the eighties of the 13th century.
If we consider Scandinavian sources, they do not contain detailed information about such significant battles as the Battle of the Neva River and Battle on the Ice. You can only read that a small Swedish detachment was defeated as part of the Finnish Crusade.
It is also not known for certain who led the Scandinavian army. Based on Russian sources, scholars say that it was the king's son-in-law Birger Magnusson.
But he became the jarl of Sweden only in 1248, and at the time of the battle he was Ulf Fasi, who most likely led the campaign. At the same time, Birger did not participate in it, although there is an opposite opinion. Thus, the results of archaeological excavations indicate that Birger was wounded in the facial part of the head during his lifetime. This coincides with information that Alexander Nevsky wounded the king himself in the eye.
Battle of the Neva River: date
Historical events until the 16th century were not recorded in certain official sources. Very often, historians cannot establish the exact day or even the approximate period when a particular battle took place. But that's not the case important event like the battle on the Neva River. In what year did it happen? Historians know the exact answer to this question. This battle dates back to July 15, 1240.
Events before the battle
No battle starts spontaneously. A number of events occurred that led to such difficult moment like the battle on the Neva River. The year in which it occurred began for the Swedes with their unification with the Novgorodians. In the summer, their ships arrived at the mouth of the Neva. The Swedes and their allies landed on the coast and pitched their tents. This happened in the place where Izhora flows into the Neva.
The composition of the army was varied. It included Swedes, Novgorodians, Norwegians, representatives of Finnish tribes and, of course, Catholic bishops. The borders of the Novgorod lands were protected by maritime guards. It was provided by the Izhorians at the mouth of the Neva, on both sides of the Gulf of Finland. It was the elder of this guard, Pelgusius, at dawn of a July day who discovered that the Swedish flotilla was already close. The messengers hastened to inform Prince Alexander about this.
The Livonian campaign of the Swedes against Rus' began only in August, which suggests that they took a wait-and-see attitude, as well as the immediate and lightning-fast reaction of Prince Alexander. Having received news that the enemy was already close, he decided to act independently, without resorting to the help of his father. Alexander Yaroslavovich went into battle with a small squad. The Battle of the Neva River became a chance for the young prince to prove himself as a commander. Therefore, many troops did not have time to join him. The Ladoga militias, who joined him along the way, also took Alexander’s side.
According to the customs that existed at that time, the entire squad gathered at the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, where they were blessed by Archbishop Spyridon. Then Alexander said pep talk, quotes from which are still known: “God is not in power, but in truth!”
The detachment moved overland along the Volkhov all the way to Ladoga. From there he turned to the mouth of the Izhora. For the most part, the army consisted of mounted warriors, but there was also infantry. To save travel time, this part of the detachment also rode horses.
Chronology of the battle
The battle began on July 15, 1940. It is known that in the Russian army, in addition to the princely squad, at least three more detachments of noble Novgorod commanders, as well as Ladoga residents, took part.
The Life mentions the names of six warriors who committed heroic deeds during the battle.
Gavrilo Olekseich boarded an enemy ship, from where he was dropped wounded, but despite this he boarded again and continued to fight. Sbyslav Yakunovich was armed only with an ax, but nevertheless rushed into the thick of the battle. Alexander's hunter Yakov Polochanin fought no less bravely. The youth Savva burst into the enemy camp and cut down the Swedes’ tent. Misha from Novgorod took part in the battle on foot and sank three enemy ships. Ratmir, the servant of Alexander Yaroslavovchia, fought bravely with several Swedes, after which he was wounded and died on the battlefield.
The battle continued from morning until evening. By nightfall the opponents dispersed. The Swedes, realizing that they had suffered a crushing defeat, retreated on their surviving ships and crossed to the opposite bank.
It is known that the Russian army did not pursue the enemy. The reason for this is unknown. Perhaps the knightly custom of not interfering with burying his fighters during a respite had an effect. Perhaps Alexander did not see the need to finish off the handful of remaining Swedes and did not want to risk his army.
The losses of the Russian detachment amounted to XX noble warriors, and their warriors should also be added here. There were many more dead among the Swedes. Historians talk about dozens, if not hundreds of soldiers killed.
Results
The Battle of the Neva River, the date of which will be remembered for centuries, made it possible to prevent the danger of an attack by Sweden and the Order on Rus' in the near future. Alexander's army decisively stopped their invasion of Ladoga and Novgorod.
However, the Novgorod boyars began to fear that Alexander’s power over them would increase. They began to plot various intrigues against the young prince, eventually forcing him to go to his father Yaroslav. However, very soon they asked him to return to continue the battle with which he approached Pskov.
Memory of the battle
In order not to forget about distant events on the Neva, Alexander's descendants sought to perpetuate the memories of them. Thus, monumental architectural monuments which have been restored several times. In addition, the image of Alexander Nevsky is also depicted on coins and commemorative stamps.
Alexander Nevsky Lavra
This monolithic building was erected by Peter I in 1710. The Alexander Nevsky Monastery was built at the mouth of the Black River in St. Petersburg. At that time it was mistakenly assumed that the battle took place in this very place. The inspiration and creator of the monastery was Subsequently, other architects continued the work.
In 1724, the remains of Alexander Yaroslavovich were transported here. Now the territory of the Lavra is state-owned national reserve. The ensemble includes several churches, a museum and a cemetery. On it rest such famous people, like Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Suvorov, Nikolai Karamzin, Mikhail Glinka, Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Church of Alexander Nevsky in Ust-Izhora
This building was erected in honor of the victory in the battle of 1240. Date of construction - 1711. The church burned violently several times and was rebuilt. IN late XVIII century, a stone church with a bell tower was built by parishioners.
In 1934 the church was closed and for a long time was used as a warehouse. During the Leningrad siege, the temple tower was blown up, as it served as a landmark for German artillery.
In 1990, work began on the restoration of the church, and a few years later it was consecrated. There is a small cemetery near the temple, as well as a monument-chapel with an image of Alexander Nevsky.
Printing coins and stamps
From time to time, the image of Alexander Yaroslavovich is also used in printing. So, in 1995, a commemorative coin with his image was issued. In the anniversary years following the battle, significant stamps are also issued, which are of great interest to philatelists.
Film adaptations
The film starred such actors as Svetlana Bakulina and Director Igor Kalenov.
