Pskov Republic

The Republic of Pskov (Russian Псковская Республика, Pskowskaja Respublika ) was a medieval Russian state that existed from the second half of the 13th century to the early 16th century.

Origin

After the disintegration of Kievan Rus in the 12th century, the city of Pskov and the surrounding areas on the river Welikaja, Lake Peipsi and the Narva part of the Republic of Novgorod. Pskov retained autonomy rights that included the independent development of the towns in Pskov surroundings ( including izborsk, one of the oldest cities). Because of the leading role of Pskov in the fight against German Teutonic Knights, his influence increased significantly. The long reign of Daumantas (1266-1299) and especially his victory at the Battle of Wesenberg in 1268 led to the attainment of full independence Pskov. The Novgorod boyars formally recognized this in the Treaty of Bolotowo in 1348 and waived their right governors ( Possadniks ) in Pskov to appoint. The city of Pskov remained dependent only in ecclesiastical affairs to 1589 of Novgorod, as a separate diocese was built by Pskov and the Archbishops of Novgorod deleted the mention of Pskov from its title.

Internal construction

The Republic of Pskov had a well-organized agriculture, fishing, metal working, jewelry making, as well as nationally known builder. Trade within the Republic, with Novgorod and other Russian cities, and the Baltic Sea region and Western European countries amounted to Pskov one of the largest trade and manufacturing centers of Rus. In contrast to the Republic of Novgorod Pskov never had feudal landowners, the lands were smaller and more fragmented. Land ownership Pskov churches and monasteries was also significantly smaller. The social relationships that have formed in Pskov are reflected in the Pskov Charter Court.

The characteristics of the economy, old connections to Novgorod, the situation at the border and military threats led to the development of the veche - system. The Prince played a minor role. The veche elected individuals for important public offices and regulated the relations between feudal lords, officials, city dwellers and farmers. The Bojarenrat had a special influence on the decisions of the veche, which gathered in the Trinity Monastery. The monastery kept the archives of the veche. The selectable civil service posts were a privilege of several noble families. While the most dramatic moments of the history of the Pskov lower resettled persons, however, played an important and sometimes decisive role. The battle between boyars and city dwellers as well as different levels of public servants was reflected in the heresy of Strigolniki in the 14th century as well as in unrest at the end of the 15th century.

The last years

The growing links with the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which were determined by economic development and foreign policy objectives, still led in 1380 to Pskov participation in the Battle of Kulikovo in which the united Russian army defeated the Tatars of the Golden Horde under Moscow leadership. Later Pskov and Moscow acted as allies in the struggle against the German Order and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. From 1399 Pskov became a kind of vice - kingdom of Moscow with a Moscow Namestnik ( governor ).

In 1510 came the Moscow Grand Prince Vasily III. to Pskov and explained it to his hereditary land ( Votčina ). In this way, the Pskov Republic and its autonomy came to an end. The Republican government body that Pskov veche, was disbanded and about 300 families from the city of Pskov rich deported. Your land was divided among Moscow servants. From this time on, Pskov and the surrounding areas developed as part of the centralized Russian state, but retained some economic and cultural traditions.

Swell

• The Chronicles of Pskov, vol. 1-2. Moscow - Leningrad, 1941-1955.
• Масленникова Н. Н. Присоединения Пскова к Русскому централизованному государству. Leningrad, 1955.
• Валеров А.В. " Новгород и Псков: Очерки политической истории Северо - Западной Руси XI -XIV вв Moscow:. Aleteia, 2004 ISBN 5-89329-668-0. .

• Russian principality
• Hanse
• Pskov Oblast