The First Campaign of Ivan III to Novgorod in 1471

• Published in: Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 2022-09, Vol.92 (Suppl 5), p.S355-S366
• Main Author: Kuchkin, V. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry/Food Science; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Life Sciences; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 1019-3316; 1555-6492
• DOI: 10.1134/S1019331622110089

In this paper, the alignment of political forces in Novgorod on the eve and during the campaign of the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan III is considered. The author points to the rivalry of the pro-Moscovian and pro-Lithuanian groups existing in various social strata within the Novgorod archdiocese and among the Novgorod aristocracy and “zhitny” people. —In this paper, the relationship between Moscow and Novgorod from the late 1450s to the early 1470s is studied. Based on new sources introduced by the author of this paper, it is established that the accession of Pskov, a “younger brother” of Novgorod, to Moscow did not take place in 1510, as stated in modern historiography, but in occurred in 1460. This radically changes the estimation of situation in Eastern Europe in the years 1460–1470. The transition of Pskov to under the rule of Moscow meant that a new and very large ruler appeared in the western lands of Russia, who could pose a threat to close states, such as Lithuania, Novgorod, and the Teutonic Order. The loss of Pskov influenced the position of Novgorod, which refused to pay the “black duty” as a tribute to the Golden Horde khans taking advantage of the illness of Grand Duke Vasilii II. The current situation threatened a big war. Both Novgorod and Moscow were looking for new allies. Moscow managed to neutralize at least the Livonian part of the Teutonic Order and the Golden Horde of Khan Akhmat. Novgorod was forced to enter into vassal relations with Casimir IV, King of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The transition of Novgorod from the power of Ivan III to the power of Casimir IV took place in the late autumn of 1470, but in the spring of 1471 the Moscow prince, having gathered great forces, began a war with Novgorod, in which he was supported by many Novgorodians who were economically connected with Moscow. The Novgorodians, having been defeated on the Shelon and Northern Dvina rivers, turned to Casimir IV for help, but their embassy was not allowed to visit him in Livonia. Left without military support, the Novgorodians went to peace. The Korostyn Treaty of August 11, 1471, prohibited Novgorod’s relations with Lithuanian princes and placed local courts under the control of Ivan III.