Background
During the 14th century, the
power of Muscowy grew, while the Golden Horde became weaker and weaker. On the
second half of the 14th century, there were around 25 different khans, of whom
a large number was killed by his competitors. During these troubled times, the
Horde was united by commander Mamai. By these times, Muscowy rarely listened to
the orders of the khan and the khan saw it fit to punish the Rus for it. On
1378, the Mongol armies assaulted Muscowy and the whole of Russia with it.
He was confronted by a Muscowian
army, led by Dmitri Ivanovich, grandson of Ivan Kalita. The armies met on the
lands of Rjazan, besides River Vozh. This Mongol army was defeated by the
Russian forces and it retreated. The Khan, however escpaed and gathered a new
army. He also ordered a treaty with the Lithuanians, for their assistance. Khan
Mamai also counted on the Kniaz of Rjazan, Oleg, who had sided with the
Mongols. Oleg wanted the lands of Muscowy for himself and Lithuania, and that
was the reason for his servitude of the Horde.
In the august of 1380, the Khan
made way to Russia, but the Russian dukes had unexpectedly united against the
growing threat.
The Battle of Kulikovo
Again it was Dmitri Ivanovich,
who stood in the lead of the armies of Russia (or more correctly, Muscowy and
allied princedoms). The army was made up of the forces and levy of Suzdal,
Brjansk, Rostov, Jaroslavl, Kostroma and Beloozero. Smaller detachments came
even from Ukraine and Belorussia. The peasants, although barely armed, were
numerous. The force that assembled alltogether, is assumed to around
150 000 men, but it might have been quite a bit smaller. Yet it was for
that time, the single largest army Russia had ever gathered.
The plan of Dmitri was to hold
the battle outside Muscowian territories. He quickly had his army move towards
the River Don. They built bridges to cross the river and after crossing, Dmitri
supposedly ordered the destruction of the bridges to show that there was no way
for retreat.
The armies lined up in the fog.
The Russian forces were placed so, that, the contignents flanks were protected
by Smolka River, deep slopes and forests. A part of the army was left into the
woods as for ambushing purposes. The fog quickly vanished and the larger army
of the enemy was sighted. The Russian first lines assaulted the enemy daringly,
and they were led to combat by Dmitri. Within short time, the whole of Russian
vanguard was destroyed, although some of the greatest warriors (along with
kniaz Dmitri) returned to the main army.
Now the forces of Mamai assaulted
forward as a thick mass. Spears broke as straws, arrows came down as rain,
dust shadowed sunlight, swords flashed as lightning, men fell as crop before
the scythes. is a description by a Russian chronicler of this battle.
The Russians decided to break
through the enemy center, although a Mongol force had crossed River Smolka and
was attacking the Russian left flank with fury. The Mongols were gaining the
upper hand. The left flank started retreating and the Mongols, seeing the
opportunity, quickly began to surround the center. The ambushers wanted to help
the others, but their commander, voievode Bobrok held them back saying: It is
not yet the time! Mamai thought that victory was close.
Yet now was the time, and the
ambushing squad assaulted the Mongols and crushed them. The remnant of Russian
forces regrouped and assaulted once more. Khan thought it better to run, and
the Russians gave him a decent chase. For the victory at the Fields of
Kulikovo, Dmitri Ivanovich gained the nickname of Donskoi.
Aftermath
Although the battle didnt
overthrow the Mongol rule, it certainly helped in doing so. Two years later,
after Kulikovo, a new Khan striekd and burnt down Muscowy. Despite the fact
that the city was almost completely destroyed, the Russian peoples had
understood their power in unity. Soon, the Mongol powers were completely
destroyed and they left the whole of Europe alone.
Edited by rider - 12-Feb-2007 at 12:46