3-8 February 1238
On the approach of the Mongol darkness to Vladimir first reported flocks of crows. Winter birds to heat roofs. But moving on the Plasma riverside and pillaging villages, the Mongols drove the Raven closer to the capital. Then came the refugees...
By that time, Grand Duke Yuri Vsevolodovich already knew about the fall of Moscow. And likely demise his younger son-Vladimir of Moscow.
But Agatha, his wife, say about this Prince not dare. So much grief. Let him find out later. If we survive.
On North
Leaving in city of entire family: wife, 2- ' s sons and daughter, Yuri Vladimir sky took away better left in 8 100,000 copies of and is gone North. So decided the Council of war. There is no sense for the Prince's squad to sit behind the walls. It is necessary to collect all the troops of the vassal princes and brothers to strike at the Tartars a single fist. The soul of the Russian soldiers ached when they left Vladimir-Suzdal.
The streets were Packed with silent people, in silence they saw off the squad. But eyes full of despair I burned through…
When the army of the Grand Duke left the capital, the gates were closed tightly. Forty thousand city froze. At dawn on 3 February 1238, the distant patrols were lit by the black smoke of signal fires. The main battle horn of the city began to hum, and it was picked up from the other walls.
And the bell tolled alarmingly. TATAR-AHH!!
The Mongolian fogs of Batu's hundred thousandth darkness came out from the ice of Plasma in the West. On a huge field and the Moscow highway. The Mongols marched all day, closing the city in a ring. The citizens and warriors on the walls could not count them.
The lookouts in the forest and the bell-ringers of the Vladimir bell towers saw endless columns of horsemen and wagons on the Plasma river. To the horizon.
Close was the decisive day Golden Russian. Vladimir had to hold on. Until his Grand Duke strikes the heathen with all his might and frees him...
Vladimir
The capital of the great Vladimir-Suzdal Principality is the most powerful fortress of the North. Therefore, the Grand Duke left his family here and went for reinforcements. From 3 sides the city was surrounded by steep banks of rivers-Klyazma and lobed. Though in winter the river froze. But there were ice cliffs.
In addition to the cliffs, the river sides of Vladimir were protected by a huge earthen rampart with a deep moat below. On the crest of the rampart and around the outer perimeter is a double oak wall, the gap inside covered with earth and stones. The wall was broken by many towers and battlefields. The top is covered with a double roof, sheltering the defenders from enemy arrows.
The most vulnerable was the Western side of the capital city. The huge field brought the enemy at once to the city — a ditch, a shaft and walls. But in the center of the teetered most a powerful strengthening the entire Northern Russian.
The huge white stone gate tower of the Golden Gate with the Church on top was impregnable even for Chinese vices.
Inside the outer perimeter there were several rings of wooden walls, and the last boundary was the princely Citadel (Team) its walls are completely stone. The total length of the walls was about 4.5 km. the Garrison was enough to spare, many soldiers fell in the battles for Bologna and Moscow.
The Grand Duke took the most efficient soldiers. But there were recovering warriors, princely squads of 2 of his sons, governors. And numerous national militia-each inhabitant and the refugee who could carry the weapon, painted on hundreds.
Total-18,000 defenders. Vladimir was left to the care of his middle son, Mislay. Command of the defense was the best General of the Principality, Governor Peter Sladojevic.
Vladimir Of Moscow
All 3rd day of February Tatars left from Plasma on the field. A group of Mongols rode slowly along the city. It's Suburb with rough copies were evaluated by the defense of the Us. The night passed quietly. Batu was waiting for Khazar siege, Sunday slaves had to drive Burgundy.
The next day, 17 horsemen slowly approached the Golden gate. Prince Vsevolod and Mislay were already at the top of the Golden tower, when pushing over, and Governor Peter came running.
Us, give up! The great Batu will spare the city, he does not need dead slaves!
The Russian soldiers looked at them in silence. Some militia man threw a snowball at the Tartars, but missed.
Good! Then listen to your Prince. He has surrendered and serves the Khan! The Tartars pulled the sack from the horseman's head. The whole city saw the beaten younger Prince-Vladimir of Moscow...
The young Prince hardly saw. One eye was damaged by a saber blow, the other was swollen shut. Just a blur. Yes is ablaze skin from the noose on neck and ropes on the hands of. Each hoof of the horse-trot gave a sharp pain. Stopped. All around the Tatars rejoiced, shouting something. Hearing his name and blinded by daylight, Vladimir opened his eyes and saw his native walls.
The Prince looked intently at the domes of the gate Church Of the Holy virgin, saying goodbye. Then he slowly split his parched lips. And having collected all that was, Vladimir's battle cry hoarsely shouted. DON'T STING!!
NO REGRETS!! the walls roared back at their Prince.
A hundred arrows buzzed through the air. Fell merry Tatars, pierced through. Fell and Vladimir Moscow. The snow carefully covered the young Prince. The pain faded quickly. Quietly the Prince looked at the dome of the virgin. And a warm glow filled his heart...