The burning of Moscow, A. D. 1812

The first mention of Moscow to be found in the historical records dates back to the year 1147. In that year Yuri Dolgoruky of Rostov and Suzdal, inviting Svatoslav of Chernigov, wrote: "Come to me, brother, to Moscow." They are believed to have met in Moscow in April 1147.

In 1154 the first small fortified town was known to have been built at the confluence of the Moscow and Neglinnaya rivers. In those days Moscow was merely a small frontier post of the Rostov and Suzdal principality. In 1237 it fell under the yoke of the Tatars, and for a long time after there is no reference to it(1) in the records. It reappears only towards the close of(2) the 13th century - this time to become firmly established as the foremost of Russian towns. In the 13th century the city was razed during the Tatar invasion, and for many years it paid tribute to the Tatar Khans, but towards the end of the 14th century it rose against those rulers, sometimes fighting, sometimes paying ransom. The 14th and the 15th centuries saw the rise of Russia as a national state with Moscow, assuming ever-growing strategic and economic importance(3). As Moscow was a military as well as an administrative and economic centre, its rulers continued to erect ramparts and fortifications.

The first independent Moscow ruler was the younger son of Alexander Nevsky, Daniil. His son, Ivan Kalita, received a license(4) from the Tatar Khans entitling him to rule as Grand Prince. Compelled to accept the overlordship of the Tatars, Kalita, who was considered to be clever and

cunning, used them for his own ends (purposes) - for strengthening Moscow principality. He is known to have founded a new fortress in the city which subsequently came to be called the Kremlin.

By the middle of the 14th century Moscow had become one of Russia's leading towns. It was said to be growing into a wealthy and bustling city where Greek and Italian merchants came to trade. Moscow's position as the foremost city of Russia was finally consolidated in 1380, when Dmitri Donskoi led the Russian forces to a decisive victory over the Tatars at Kulikovo Field. It was Moscow that started Russia's liberation from the Tatar yoke. The part Moscow played in uniting the people of Russia became especially marked towards the close of the 15th century. From that time on the country's whole history has been inseparably bound up with it. By this time Moscow was the largest city not only of Russia, but of all Eastern Europe. It was under Ivan III and his successor, Vassili III – early in the 16th5 century - that Moscow became the capital of the state of Moscow.

There were several trials in store for Moscow6 during the so-called "Troubled Times"(7) of the early 17th century when the city fell under foreign domination. The fight to set Moscow free came to be identified(8) in the Russian people's minds with the struggle for their national independence. The popular levy, headed by Minin and Pozharsky, struck a decisive blow

and routed the Polish invaders who had entrenched themselves in the Kremlin.

Bitter tribulations came to Moscow(9) with the war of 1812. But its spirit was unbroken. Russian patriots decided to set Moscow ablaze rather than(10) surrender their beloved city to Napoleon. It was at the approaches of Moscow that the Russian people usually inflicted serious defeat on the foreign invaders who always suffered heavy material and moral losses.

When the French Emperor who expected the Russian troops to engage(11) his army first came within sight of(12) Moscow, he gazed long and thoughtfully on that goal of his wishes. Murat was the first to enter the gates with his splendid cavalry; but as he passed along the streets he was struck by complete solitude that surrounded him: a deserted and abandoned city(13) was the prize for which such unparalleled efforts had been made.

As night drew, Napoleon entered the city, and on appointing Mortier Governor(14), commanded him to abstain from all pillage. "For this," said he, "you shall be answerable with your life Defend Moscow against all, whether friend or foe." Mortier obeyed but felt that some calamity was hanging over the silent capital. The feeling did not deceive him: at midnight when the cry of "Fire" reached his ear(16), he realised that it was the burning of Moscow, but he was too tired to take action.

Soon the city presented a spectacle the like of which(17) had never been seen before and which baffles all description(18). Flames burst on every side and were raging through the whole city until the latter became one gigantic flame waving to and fro(19), one boundless sea of fire. The fire was approaching the Kremlin when the Emperor reluctantly consented to leave. Mortier saw him descend into the streets with his staff, but the flames blocked every passage. At length, with great difficulty, Napoleon reached the palace of Petrovsky, where he took up his quarters(20).

His army, once glorious and fearless, now stood in still terror, powerless and frightened. Napoleon was seen gazing at the horrible scene in silent awe. Said he, years afterwards(21): "It was the most grand, most sublime, most terrific sight the world ever beheld." In fact, it seemed to be a terrible substitute for the military triumph in Russia, so much desired and expected by the French Emperor.

Notes

1 there is no reference to it - ( зд .) о ней не упоминается

Дата добавления: 2015-07-26