The birth of Moscovia

Muscovy, also known as the Great Principality of Moscow, was a Russian state that existed from the 13th to the 16th century. It was formed in the northern territories of the first East Slavic state, called Kievan Rus, and was the predecessor of the Russian Tsarate, which in turn was succeeded by the Russian Empire.

 

Muscovy was ruled by an absolute monarchy. The princes of Moscow were descendants of the first prince Daniel, known in modern historiography as the Daniilovichi, a branch of the Rurikovichi. The state originated in 1263 when Daniel inherited the territory as an appanage from his father Alexander Nevsky, Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal.

 

The first Muscovite prince was Daniil Alexandrovich (1283-1303), who secured the principality for his family. His son, Ivan I of Russia (1316-1340), called Ivan Kalita, obtained the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir from the Mongol leaders, who then ruled the land. Those mongols were known as the “Golden Hotde” He cooperated closely with the Mongols, collecting tribute from other principalities that splintered Kievan Rus'. This relationship earned him regional ascendancy, particularly over Moscow's main rival, the Principality of Tver.

 

Daniil Alexandrovich, also known as Saint Daniel of Moscow to the Orthodox Church (1261 - March 4, 1303), was the first prince of Moscow. He was the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky and Aleksandra Briachislavna (Vassa, after becoming a nun) .

 

Having started his political career as ruler of the weak Moscow principality, Daniel was involved in civil strife between his older brothers Andrei of Gorodets and Dmitri of Pereslavl. Daniel's participation in the struggle for the Novgorod governorship in 1296 shows that Moscow gained political influence during his reign. In 1301, he imprisoned the Ryazan prince for his intention to conquer the Moscow lands in alliance with the Tatars. To gain freedom, the prisoner ceded his fortress in Kolomna to Daniel, a very important possession as it guaranteed control along the Moskva River. In 1302 his cousin and ally, Ivan of Pereslavl, bequeathed to Daniel all of his lands, including his possessions in Pereslavl-Zalesski.

 

Daniel of Moscow is known as a wise ruler for the policy of making peace between the rulers of neighboring lands and peaceful acquisition of new lands for his own principality. He founded the first monasteries in Moscow: St. Daniel and the Epiphany of the Lord. In one of them he took the rest of his life, taking the habit. He rested in peace in his cell on March 4, 1303. His relics were recovered incorrupt on August 30, 1652. The same year he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.