In 1510, Pskov was annexed to Moscow. This event was a logical result of the "gathering of Russian lands" by the Grand Dukes. The republic became part of the unified national Russian state during the reign of Vasily Ivanovich III.
Pskov-Moscow relations
The first direct contacts between Pskov and Moscow date back to the end of the 14th century. So, in 1380, during the Battle of Kulikovo, in the army of Dmitry Donskoy there was a detachment sent to help from the Northern Republic. This formation was commanded by Prince Andrei Olgerdovich. When he abdicated the throne in 1399, an embassy arrived to the son of Dmitry Donskoy, Vasily I, asking him to send them a ruler from Moscow. This request was granted, and since then the republic and the principality have been in close political union.
The accession of Pskov to Moscow was gradual. Throughout the 15th century, trade and diplomatic ties were strengthened between the cities. However, formally the republic remained independent. Moscow appointees who arrived in the north took an oath of allegiance to Pskov.
The inhabitants of the city only once went into direct conflict withgreat prince. It happened in 1456, when Vasily II was at war with Novgorod. The republic supported its "elder brother", but the combined army of the two lands was defeated by the Moscow squad. After that, the Pskov boyars again came to bow to the Kremlin, asking for forgiveness for their disobedience.
Strengthening of princely influence
The border city needed the help of the Grand Dukes because of foreign danger - primarily Lithuania. The ruler of this country Vitovt twice declared war on Pskov. However, the united Russian army every time repulsed the enemy. It was precisely because of the danger of foreign intervention that the annexation of Pskov to Moscow became inevitable.
In 1478, Grand Duke Ivan III finally deprived Novgorod of independence. The "big brother" of Pskov, similar to him culturally and politically, was left without a symbol of his freedom - the veche bell. This happened due to the fact that the local aristocracy, not wanting to remain in a vassal position, went closer to the Polish-Lithuanian king. Ivan III rightly took this act for treason and went to war against Novgorod.
The accession of Pskov to Moscow would have happened even earlier if the inhabitants of the city had gone into conflict with their patron. But they remained loyal to the Grand Duke. Ivan III, for whom the legitimacy of his own actions was important, during his lifetime did not find a formally just reason to deprive the independence of the last stronghold of the republican system in Russia. This mission fell on the shoulders of his son - Vasily III, who inherited the throne in 1505year.
Importance of Pskov
By the beginning of the 16th century, the era of political fragmentation of Russia remained in the past. The long-term reign of Vasily III is rightfully considered a logical continuation of the reign of his father, Ivan III. Both Grand Dukes successfully annexed all new Russian lands to their state, creating a single national state. This process was accelerated by the Polish-Lithuanian threat in the west, as well as the devastating raids of the Tatars in the east and south.
Pskov at that time was a tasty morsel for its neighbors. The city remained an important and rich trading center, where Livonian and German merchants left their money. Local markets attracted European buyers with their unique products, especially valuable northern furs. After Novgorod was annexed to Moscow, Pskov became even richer, because foreign merchants preferred to conduct their business in a city that enjoyed at least some formal independence. In addition, there were no duties here, as in the cities of the Moscow Principality.
Events before joining
In 1509, Vasily III sent a new governor to Pskov. They became Ivan Repnya-Obolensky. The behavior of a stranger seriously alarmed the inhabitants of the city. The viceroy did not consult with the veche, did not pay attention to the opinion of the local aristocracy, he himself ruled the court. In fact, he behaved as if he were the representative of the prince in the deep Moscow province.
Pskovites decided to complain about the appointee Vasily Ivanovich. Russian history is full of uprisings and popular discontent, but this time the conflict did not turn into an armed confrontation. By this time, Pskov was already too dependent on Moscow to have sufficient forces to rebel against the prince. In addition, the inhabitants of the city had no one to turn to. Novgorod had been part of the unified Russian state for almost thirty years, and the Polish king did not want to go to war against Vasily.
Basily's Court
The Grand Duke at that time arrived in Novgorod, allegedly to check the activities of his own boyars in this important shopping center. But implicitly, Vasily III went north to finally leave Pskov independence in the past. He was followed by a large Moscow army, which would be needed in the event of open armed disobedience.
The Pskov aristocracy sent an embassy to the prince, asking him to settle the conflict between the veche and the unauthorized governor. In turn, Repnya-Obolensky also went to Novgorod to prove his case to Vasily Ivanovich. The Moscow ruler did not accept the boyars, but sent a messenger to Pskov with a proposal to all the inhabitants of the city to come to the princely court. Hundreds of complainers flocked to Novgorod, dissatisfied with their lives. The peasants scolded the boyars, the aristocrats denounced each other. Vasily, realizing how great the split in Pskov society, decided to complete the annexation of Pskov to Moscow. 1510 was the last year in the history of independence of this city.
Novgorod trap
Most of all, Vasily was afraidthat the people and the aristocracy would act as a united front against his will. But disputes between the Pskovians showed that there was nothing to fear. On the appointed day, the posadniks and representatives of the richest families of the republic arrived at the princely reception. Vasily announced that the time had come to abolish the old political system. Veche was to be destroyed, and the bell, announcing the beginning of public meetings, was ordered to be removed. The few boyars who protested were immediately arrested and sent to prison.
At the same time, the prince ordered to resettle in Novgorod those ordinary citizens who came to him with petitions. It was a clever move that helped complete the incorporation of Pskov into Moscow. Year after year, the most active inhabitants of the republic remained isolated in the princely possessions. This deprived Pskov of leaders who could lead an uprising against Vasily. A similar strategy was used by his father, Ivan III, when he conquered the Novgorod Republic.
The end of the Pskov Veche
The Moscow clerk Tretyak Dolmatov went to the last Pskov veche from Novgorod. He was an experienced diplomat who helped the Grand Dukes get out of delicate situations. The messenger appeared in the city a few days after Vasily III arrested almost the entire local aristocracy.
At the meeting, the clerk announced the decision of the Grand Duke. The Pskovites received an ultimatum - to submit or take the path of war with Moscow. Residents asked for a night to think, and the next morning they accepted all the requirements of Vasily Ivanovich. At oncethe bell was removed. He was taken as a valuable trophy to one of the Moscow monasteries. A few days later, on a frosty January morning, the Grand Duke himself arrived in the conquered city. This visit completed the annexation of Pskov to Moscow. The date of the event (1510) became the day when the last Russian medieval republic lost its independence.
Consequences of accession
In the following months, Vasily Ivanovich did everything to consolidate his victory. All influential families were evicted from Pskov. These were well-born boyars, as well as we althy merchants. Instead, specially selected Muscovites loyal to the prince were sent to the city, who became the local elite. The former title of posadnik was finally abolished - a viceroy completely subordinate to the Kremlin took his place.
The main attractions of the city - temples and a fortress - became the property of the sovereign. The governors were the personification of judicial, military and administrative power. They were assisted by clerks, also sent from Moscow. Judicial charter of Pskov (a set of rules by which local criminals were judged) became invalid. It was replaced by a similar document adopted in other provinces of the united state.
For the inhabitants of the city, the accession of Pskov to Moscow under Prince Vasily III was most of all reflected in the amount of taxes. They got noticeably bigger. In addition, trade duties were introduced in the city, which had never existed there before.
Pskov withRussia
The central government banned all previous laws that somehow distinguished Pskov from any other county. However, the Moscow principality in the 16th century retained the illusory self-government of the city. For example, residents had the right to elect elders, who defended their interests before the governor. In addition, a mint has been preserved in Pskov.
However, in fact, since 1510, the city finally became part of a single state with its capital in Moscow. In the future, Russian history was full of events that became tests for Pskov. For example, during the Livonian War, under Vasily's son Ivan the Terrible, the border town was besieged by the Polish army. But he survived and remained an integral part of Russia.
