Grand Court of Muscovy

[Hyzhenhok]

Principality of Muscovy​

Moscow​

Seat of the Princes of Muscovy





Realm Status


Realm: Muscovy
Head of State: Dmitrii III Donskoi
Religion: Orthodox
Culture: Russian
Stats: 2/0/7/10/3(2) --> [2/0/7/10/2]
Provinces: 5
Ports: 0
Owned: Moskva(4), Kostroma(1), Murom(2), Pereslavl(2), Uglitch(2).

-1 Economy Tribute to Golden Horde​

Under Construction

 

[Hyzhenhok]

Court Persons

Ruler, Wife and Heir

Dmitrii III Donskoi, Grand Duke of Muscovy
1350-
His great victory at Kulikovo (1380) made him a popular Russian hero, but the Tatars regained their overlordship by their successful surprise attack on Moscow in 1382.

Eudoxia, Grand Princess and Wife of Dmitrii Donskoi
Eudoxia was the daughter of Dmitri Konstantinovich, the Grand Prince of Suzdal.

Prince Vasili Dmitriyevich, Eldest Son of Grand Prince Dmitrii
1371-
Heir to Dmitrii, unmarried.​

Other Court Characters

Prince Ivan Bogolyubsky - Muscovite Chancellor

 

[Hyzhenhok]

Foreign Affairs

Muscovite Ambassadors Abroad
- None -

Treaties
- None -

Claims
The Principality of Suzdal, through his marriage to the daughter of the former Grand Duke of Suzdal, Dmitry Konstantinovich.

Other
Muscovy is a tributary to the Golden Horde​

 

[Hyzhenhok]

History of Muscovy

The only prince after Yaroslav the Wise that ruled a united Russian state was his grandson Vladimir Monomakh (1113-25), a former prince of Smolensk. He was the first to encourage settlement of the northeast. His son Yuri Dolgorukii (1125-57) saw Russia's future in the northeast and made low-interest loans to attract more settlers. Many new cities were founded during his reign, including Moscow (1147).

When the Mongols invaded the lands of Kievan Rus', Moscow was an insignificant trading outpost in the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal'. The outpost's remote, forested location offered some security from Mongol attack and occupation, and a number of rivers provided access to the Baltic and Black Seas and to the Caucasus region. More important to Moscow's development in what became the state of Muscovy, however, was its rule by a series of princes who were ambitious, determined, and lucky. The first ruler of the principality of Muscovy, Daniil Aleksandrovich (d. 1303), secured the principality for his branch of the Rurik Dynasty. His son, Ivan I (r. 1325-1340), known as Ivan Kalita (Ivan Money Bag), obtained the title Grand Prince of Vladimir from his Mongol overlords. He cooperated closely with the Mongols and collected tribute/taxes from other Russian principalities on their behalf. This relationship enabled Ivan to gain regional ascendancy, particularly over Muscovy's chief rival, the northern city of Tver'. In 1327 the Orthodox metropolitan transferred his residency from Vladimir to Moscow, further enhancing the prestige of the new principality.

Dmitrii Donskoi, though maintaining mongol taxation of the Rus, also won the first military victory against the oppressors from the east. However, Tokhtamysh, a powerful mongol leader, later would reassert mongol control over Moscow. Muscovy was still one of the Russian servants to the Golden Horde.

Recent History:

 

[Hyzhenhok]

Reserved

 

[Hyzhenhok]

Reserved - Court Open

 

[Voshkod]

The Tartars Arrive

The Tartar horsemen thundered across the frozen Moscow River at dawn, their horses' hooves throwing up a sparkling wave of ice behind them. They rode quickly up to the gate of the Kremlin, a small baggage training following them in the distance. Their leader dismounted before the guards.

He spoke Russian in a harsh, gutteral way. "I am Temuder, sent by the Khan, Overlord of Russia. I bear gifts and greetings for the Khan's vassal, the Grand Duke of Muscovy, Dmitrii. Stand aside and admit me."

 

[Hyzhenhok]

The guards glanced at one another. They disliked the Tartars, but they knew they had to be subservient for now.

The superior of them, one with a scruffy white beard, stepped up. “You will have an audience with the Grand Duke immediately,” he said to Temuder. He glanced at one of the other guards, yelling for one of them to escort the rest of Temuder’s entourage out of the cold.

“Follow me,” he said, again turning to the Tartar visitor.

They quickly arrived at the throne room, within which Dmitrii was sitting, looking bored. His wife sat next to him. A few courtiers loitered around the room, which was heated by furnaces on each side. No one stood in their way as the aged guard escorted Temuder up to the Grand Duke.

“This is Temuder, my lord,” he said, drawing near, “Emissary from our Mongel hosts. He wishes an audience with you.” The man bowed and stepped away to the side, and then quickly exited the room.

Dmitrii did not like the Tartars, seeing how he had freed himself of their yoke just some years prior, only to be retaken by Tokhtamysh once the Golden Horde’s civil war had ended. Still, he had no choice but to tolerate them for now.

“Well?” he asked gruffly, staring at the emissary with an icy, Russian glare.

 

[Voshkod]

Temuder bowed slightly to the Grand Duke. "I bear this message from the Khan to the Grand Duke. He acknowledges your recent loyalty and reminds you of the cost of betrayal. He trusts that you and your armies are prepared to lift spears against the foes of the Khan, wherever they may be. And he grants you these gifts, symbolic of his authority and power, in recognition of your continued loyalty." The Mongol motioned in some of his men.

One carried a decorated set of horse's reins. "The horse remains outside, but rest assured it is one of the Khan's finest steeds," Temuder said. "It represents the Khan's endurence and . . ." - he smiled - "endowment."

Next was a large cage which, when uncovered, was seen to contain a large eagle. The bird blinked twice and then screeched. "This hunting bird is gifted to you, to represent the Khan's speed and vision. It is well trained, and should serve you well."

Finally, a large cage was carefully pushed in. Something inside growled. Temuder pulled away the fur covering the cage, revealing a massive silver wolf, gnawing at the bars. "And this wolf, taken near the mountains to the East, untamed, is sent to you, to represent the Khan's wrath and rage." Temuder quickly threw the fur back over the cage. "It slew two hunters before it was taken. I counsel caution. The Khan wishes you to care for it well. He is curious to see if you can tame it."

"Finally," Temuder concluded, "I and my men are to stay here, to be the Khan's eyes and ears in Muscovy. That is the Khan's message and his gifts. I have a rider ready to return to Sarai should you wish to send a message back."

 

[Hyzhenhok]

Dmitrii stood from his chair and nodded. "I shall accept the Khan's gifts with deepest gratitude," he said.

"I have a message for your khan, however," he continued. "Our armies are our own - we cannot help him against Poles or Lithuanians, unless they dare attack us ourselves. However, Moscow has and will continue to be act as tax collector, so to speak. We shall aid the Khan in enforcing the tribute from our peers, should they stray from their commitment."

After a pause, he said, "That is all. We remain loyal to the Khan."

It was all Dmitrii could do to hold a grimace at his own words - luckily, he betrayed no emotion.

 

[Voshkod]

"The Khan," Temuder said, "will not ask you to fight against those you consider kin, or those who you share faith with. He is not that foolish. However, there are other enemies that we may face, and then he might ask for your spears, and he would reward you well for them. Your steadfast loyalty, and your tribute, are all he requires of you. I will be shown to my rooms now."

 

[Voshkod]

A piece of hide comes to Moscow from Sarai:

Dmitrii, vassal, Grand Duke of Muscovy by the sufference of the Khan in Sarai, I have received your letter and I write to tell you that we expect nothing from Muscovy but fealty and treasure. The blood of your people is yours to dispose of. But do not think I have forgotten your recent treachery. Fail me again in such a way and I will destroy Moscow and create such a desolation that for a hundred miles around neither the wolf nor crow will travel, for there shall be nothing for them to rend.

- Your master, Tokhtamysh, Khan

 

[Hyzhenhok]

Dmitrii III Donskoi examined the massive wolf, still in its cage. He had had it taken into an empty warehouse and commanded his finest trainer to tame it. Those efforts had so far failed. A few assistants to the trainer had even lost fingers - one had lost an entire hand. As Dmitrii approached the cage, the creature snapped and snarled at him. The cage shook.

"Careful my lord," came a voice behind him, "We shouldn't want you to lose any of your extremities." It was the trainer, Boris.

Ignoring him, Dmitrii dropped a slab of meat through the bars. The creature went mad, tearing it to shreds crazily and then chewing through it. As he ate, the snarls had stopped. It had nearly been a challenge by the Tartar Khan to tame it when it was given. Dmitrii was hardly one to refuse.

Then, another servant burst through the doors and approached him, nevously glancing at the wolf.

"I said no interruptions," Dmitrii said, keeping his eyes on the wolf.

"I'm sorry my lord," said the boy quickly, he too staring at the wolf. The difference was the boy's eyes were full of fear; Dmitrii's, full of determination. "It appears Semyon Vladimirovich has been imprisoned in Wilno."

"WHAT!?"

"Apparently they're holding him and his escorts on grounds of treachery...plotting against Jogaila. Which is odd, because no one else has been arrested. Just the Russians."

Dmitrii stared at the wolf for some time before replying. "It was right of you to tell me this. Now be off!"

Semyon wasn't stupid - obviously the charges of treachery were trumped up. He had diplomatic immunity! Obviously, the Lithuanians were trying to goad Muscovy into war...it had been a mistake to seek an alliance. Dmitrii pledged to feed the goat responsible for this insult to his wild wolf.

 

[Voshkod]

From Sarai:

Dimtrii, by our leave Grand Duke of Moscow, I have heard rumors that you have attempted to cause problems for the Liths as they enjoy their civil war. I would know the truth of this soonest.

- Your master, Tokhtamysh, Khan

 

[unmerged(25835)]

He was riding in a carriage that neared the border of Muscovy. Peter knew that the Posadnik had convinced the Kniaz to send him. He wondered why they wanted to talk with Muscovy. Novgorod despised Muscovy. He didn’t know why they needed Muscovy. But he was only an ambassador and not someone of high power in the grand city. He only hoped this meeting would not lead to trouble. The carriage stopped at the border. Peter got out and met the guards. ”I am Peter Maikov and I am the envoy of Kniaz Anatoly Tverdislavich. I would like to have an audience with your Dmitri III Donskoi.” He waited for an answer.

 

[Hyzhenhok]

"Hold for a few minutes, honored emissary," said the eldest of the guards, before disappearing. He soon returned and beckoned the envoy inside. "Grand Duke Dmitrii will see you immediately, good sir."

He led Peter Maikov into the palace and showed him the door into Dmitrii's chambers.

"What is it that Kniaz Tverdislavich wants of me?" he asked. He knew full well that the Kniaz of Novgorod had very little power. He wondered why then the Kniaz himself had sent an envoy.

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The people of Muscow look on with a mix of fear and disdain as a Mongol covered in furs with a great gold chain rode through the streets followed by an escort of a hundred warriors. They shot looks back at the people with only disdain in their eyes, looking at the diminuative Slavs. The Kremlin was soon before them and the leading Mongol paraded before the gate, calling to the guards in a strong, loud voice.

Guards, open up the gates, for a servant of your lord's master is before you. I am Emir Ordu, the new baskak unto Muscovy, replacing the former Temuder *aside to one of his men* that foolish oaf. I shall outdue him in this office by far. *smiles* I wish to see his Grace, the Grand Duke, before I begin my duties, naturally. Now open and make way for the servant of the Khan!​

 

[Hyzhenhok]

The guards quickly give way to the Tartars, with a mix of fear and hatred. They quickly usher Emir Ordu and his entourage into the Grand Court.

Upon entering the court, Dmitrii Donskoi stands with a faux grin. "Welcome to Moscow, representative of my overlord. What may I do for you?"

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

Emir Ordu made a slight, stiff bow before the Grand Duke. He did not wish to bend too much for a prince of the Rus, especially since as baskak, he would be the Grand Duke's overseer.

Your Grace, in this wonderful spring, the Khan has seen fit to send me unto you as the new baskak. I shall require no more of you than Temuder, but, there is a question of proving one's loyalty.

Only by the grace of the Khan did Muscovy escape the fate of Ryazan two years ago. Since that time, the Khan has seen fit to trust you in return for only tribute. Yet, the events of the world may ask for more than this. The Lith pagans seem to have angered the Germans and are at war with them. The Romans and Hungarians seem to be on the edge of war with the Turk. While peace reigns in the mind of the Khan and he wishes to incur no further obligations upon your Grace, your service in a campaign in the near future would be most welcomed and perhaps you could go without paying tribute for a year or two if you did so. Such again is the grace of the Khan. What say you?​

 

[Hyzhenhok]

Dmitrii Donskoi stood silent, listening to his new overseer's words. Hadn't the previous overseer ask the same of him - Russians fighting for the mongol cause?

"Honored Emir," he said, "Our soldiers are not numerous. We cannot send them to distant lands to fight for those they hate. We serve you, but we have limitations. I am afraid that if you seek to use Moscow's soldiers, we can only guarantee them in nearby lands. Namely, the pagan Liths. Should you require aid to bring our fellow Russians back into the fold as well, I am ready to follow the path of Ivan the Rich and aid your master in such a task.

"As of now, our troops cannot be guaranteed. The pagans have wronged us, and refuse to reconciliate. My men may soon be entangled, despite my wishes for good relations with Lithuania.

"So, how would your lord react to the idea of a limited pact? We cannot send Russian to battle other moslems far to the south and east, but closer to home, we are not so limited."