Vasily I of Moscow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vasily I |
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Vasily I of Moscow and Sophia of Lithuania
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| Grand Prince of Moscow | |
| Reign | 19 May 1389 – 27 February 1425 |
| Predecessor | Dmitry I |
| Successor | Vasily II |
| Born | 30 December 1371 Moscow, Grand Duchy of Moscow |
| Died | 27 February 1425 (aged 53) Moscow, Grand Duchy of Moscow |
| Consort | Sophia of Lithuania |
| Issue more... |
Anna, Byzantine Empress Vasily II of Moscow |
| Dynasty | Rurik |
| Father | Dmitry Donskoy |
| Mother | Eudoxia Dmitriyevna |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
Vasily I Dmitriyevich (Russian: Василий I Дмитриевич) was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1389 to 1425. He was the son of Dmitry Donskoy, a famous ruler. Vasily I ruled during a time when Moscow was growing stronger.
For some years, Vasily I was a vassal (a ruler who owes loyalty and tribute) to the Golden Horde. This was from 1389 to 1395 and again from 1412 to 1425. In 1395, a powerful Mongol leader named Timur attacked the Volga region. This caused a lot of trouble for the Golden Horde. Because of this, Moscow became independent for a while.
Vasily I also made an alliance with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1392. He married Sophia of Lithuania, who was the daughter of Vytautas the Great. However, this alliance did not last, and they fought each other from 1406 to 1408.
Early Life and Family
Vasily was born on December 30, 1371. He was the oldest son of Dmitry Donskoy and Grand Princess Eudoxia. His mother was the daughter of Grand Prince Dmitry Konstantinovich of Nizhny Novgorod.
When Vasily was young, he traveled to the Tatar khan Tokhtamysh. He went to get permission for his father to rule the Russian lands. Vasily was successful in his mission. But he was kept as a hostage at Tokhtamysh's court for three years. In 1386, he managed to escape and returned to Moscow.
Vasily I's Rule
Vasily I worked to unite more Russian lands under Moscow's control. In 1392, he added the areas of Nizhny Novgorod and Murom. The Khan of the Golden Horde gave Nizhny Novgorod to Vasily. This was in return for Moscow's help against one of the Khan's rivals. Later, between 1397 and 1398, Kaluga, Vologda, Veliki Ustyug, and lands of the Komi peoples also became part of Moscow.
To protect Russia from attacks by the Golden Horde, Vasily I formed an alliance with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This was in 1392. He married Sophia of Lithuania, the only daughter of Vytautas the Great. But this alliance was not strong. They ended up fighting each other from 1406 to 1408.
In 1395, the Mongol leader Timur attacked the Volga region. He caused a lot of damage there. But he did not reach Moscow. Timur's attack actually helped the Russian princes. It weakened the Golden Horde. For the next twelve years, the Horde was in a state of disorder. During this time, Moscow did not have to pay tribute to the khan. Instead, a lot of money was saved in Moscow for military use.
In 1408, another Mongol leader named Edigu burned several towns. These included Nizhny Novgorod, Gorodets, and Rostov. He tried to take Moscow, but he failed. However, in 1412, Vasily found it necessary to visit the Horde again to show his submission.
Moscow's importance grew in other countries too. Vasily's daughter, Anna, married Emperor John VIII Palaeologus of Byzantium.
Changes in Moscow
During Vasily's rule, feudal landownership continued to grow. This meant that more land was owned by powerful landowners. As the prince's power in Moscow increased, some of the landowners' judicial (law-making) powers were reduced. These powers were then given to Vasily's officials.
An interesting event happened in 1404. A monk from Serbia, named Lazar the Serb, built a special clock in Moscow. This clock was placed on a tower in the Grand Prince's palace. It was the first mechanical clock in Russia. It was also the country's first public clock. At that time, it was seen as a great technical achievement in Europe.
Family Life
Vasily I married Sophia of Lithuania. She was the daughter of Vytautas the Great and his wife, Anna. They had nine children:
- Anna of Moscow (born 1393, died 1417), who married John VIII Palaiologos.
- Yury Vasilievich (1395–1400)
- Ivan Vasilievich (1396–1417)
- Anastasia Vasilievna (died 1470)
- Daniil Vasilievich (1400–1402)
- Vasilisa Vasilievna
- Simeon Vasilievich (1405)
- Maria Vasilievna
- Vasily II of Moscow (1415–1462)
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See also
In Spanish: Basilio I de Moscú para niños
