К вопросу о "Смоленском взятии" 1514 г.
For the problem about conquest of Smolensk in 1514.

Summary/Abstract: The Smolensk Campaign of 1514 was a major event in the Russian-Lithuanian 1512-1522 war. It was also an important development of the international politics of the first quarter of the 16th century. It took place not only because of the strained relations between the Moscow Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian kingdom, but also because of the constant opposition of European and Asian nations to which these countries belonged. The Moscow, Krakow and Vilna politicians were making joint plans of expansion. The Smolensk Campaign of 1514 was also conditioned by the religious opposition between the Moscow Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian kingdom. Vasilij III and his counselors considered Russia as the center of the Orthodox world, and held the politic of liberating the coreligionists of the Common Faith from Catholicism and uniting them under the auspices of Moscow. That is why, in their opinion, the struggle for Smolensk was sacred and blessed by God. Unlike the unsuccessful attempts of winning over Smolensk in 1507 as well as in 1512-1513, the 1514 campaign was thoroughly prepared by Vasiliy III, Russian diplomats, the military and the Moscow clergy. After negotiating with the German ambassador George Schnitzenbaumer von Zonneg, a treaty was signed in which the two ≪emperors≫, Maximilian and Vasiliy III, were proclaimed equals. Notwithstanding the fact that this treaty was not ratifi ed, it however enhanced the prestige of the Grand Duke's power, as well as reinforcing the Russians' desire to conquer Sigismund and win over a part of his territories. In the spring and summer of 1514 there were built 11 stone and brick churches in Moscow. The most sacred icon for Russians - the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir - was renovated and adorned. In Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, a richly decorated shroud was placed on the St. Cyril's sepulcher with an inscription mentioning the ≪state of Smolensk≫ as belonging to Vasiliy III. The Moscow high command chose the time of 1514 attack very well: it was planned to happen in spring, just some months before the fi rst autumn colds and the beginning of the seasonal illnesses. The military plans were elaborated taking into account the intelligence reports coming from the Moscow agents in Smolensk. The resistance of the Smolensk defenders was broken down through gunfi re and heavy artillery, as well as bribery, words of persuasion and promises of liberty and privileges that were supposed to be more important than those given to the natives in 1500-1514. In two of his letter missives that Vasiliy III had given to the population of Smolensk and its regions, the Grand Duke of Moscow proposed to the natives a body of privileges which were guaranteed by the powerful state authority. Due to all those measures, the Moscow troops won a victory and conquered Smolensk making it a part of the State of Russia.

• Details
• Contents