III. The Postclassical Period, 500–1500 > F. Europe, 461–1500 > 4. Eastern Europe, 1000–1300 > d. Kievan Russia > 1147
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1147
 
First mention of Moscow in one of the chronicles.  1
 
1157–74
 
ANDREI BOGOLIUBSKI, prince of Suzdal. He repressed the rising power of the nobles (boyars), united a large block of territory, and established his capital at Vladimir.  2
 
1169
 
Andrei conquered Kiev, which became part of the Vladimir principality. But the new state underwent a marked decline on the death of the ruler.  3
 
1199–1205
 
Zenith of the Galician principality under Prince Roman.  4
 
1201
 
Foundation of Riga, which became the center of German missionary enterprise and commercial expansion.  5
 
1202
 
Foundation of the German Order of Swordbearers by Bishop Albert of Livonia (Latvia).  6
 
1219
 
Conquest of Estonia by Waldemar II of Denmark.  7
 
1223
 
Battle of the Kalka River, near the Sea of Azov. The Mongols (Tatars), under Subutai, invaded southern Russia from the Transcaucasus region and completely defeated a coalition of Russian princes and Cuman leaders.  8
 
1226
 
The Teutonic Knights (See 1190–91) were commissioned to conquer and convert Prussia. They united with the Swordbearers in 1237.  9
 
1236–63
 
ALEXANDER NEVSKI, prince first of Novgorod and after 1252, of Vladimir.  10
 
1237–40
 
The Mongol conquest, under the leadership of Batu (See 1227). The great armies of the invaders swept over southern and central Russia and into Europe, coming within 60 miles of Novgorod. They took Kiev (1240) and ultimately established themselves (1242) at Sarai on the lower Volga. The Khanate of the Golden Horde for two centuries thereafter acted as suzerain of all Russia, levying tribute and taking military contingents, but for the rest leaving the princes in control, respecting the Russian Church, and interfering little. Moreover, the most western parts of Russia had a substantially different fate. The principalities of Galicia and Volynia gradually replaced Mongol suzerainty with that of Lithuania. The rulers of these lands became members of the Lithuanian seimas (assembly of nobles). This was the beginning of the Ukrainians and the Belorussians as peoples distinct from the Great Russians.  11
 
1240
 
Alexander Nevski defeated the Swedes under Birger Jarl on the Neva River and thus broke the force of the Swedish advance.  12
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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