"The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu": a brief summary. Historical Literature

"The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu," the summary of which we are interested in, is a chronicle work. An unknown author in it tells about the tragic events that occurred in 1237. Note that to date, scientists who have studied this monument of literature, found 11 editions of the work. They are represented in more than sixty lists.

What is this work about?

Important issues affect "The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu." We will outline its brief content, having said a few words about the meaning of this work. The unknown author was able to simultaneously show both the sad and disastrous consequences to which the fragmentation of Russia leads, and the valor of simple soldiers and princes, the intrepidity of Russian soldiers in the face of death. The main motive of this work is the glorification of valor and bravery of the defenders of Ryazan, bravely confronting the enemy. All these topics are traditional for their time. The literature of Ancient Rus is not very rich in ideological terms. However, it is valuable in that it reflects the era perfectly. The literature of Ancient Russia acquaints us with the outlook of our distant ancestors, raises questions that were most relevant at that time. This is interesting for her. Simple historical facts can not convey the spirit of the times, this is only literature capable of.

The author speaks about the feat accomplished by Evpatii Kolovrat. With a small detachment of soldiers, he decided to oppose the countless troops of the Tatars. However, despite the obvious shortage of the squad's strength, Evpatia succeeded in sowing fear in the midst of the enemy. Even Batu was amazed at the courage of the Russians, who are not afraid of death. They did not leave the battlefield until the very end. Russian warriors preferred to die free, rather than be enslaved by Batu. This is what the author tells about, who wrote "The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan by Batu."

Abstract: the beginning of the story

So, in 6745 from the creation of the world (from the Nativity of Christ - in 1237-m), 12 years after the miraculous icon of Sts. Was transferred to Ryazan from Chersonesos. Nicholas, a huge army of Tatars came to Russia. Batu the khan headed it . Note that the work was written based on historical facts. The Old Russian author described what happened in reality. The work belongs to the category "historical literature". The author recreates the image and events of the past. Historical literature is based on historical data, but it is also characterized by creative fiction, without which art is impossible.

The army stopped near the Ryazan lands. Khan sent his ambassadors to Yuri Ingvarevich, Ryazan prince. He demanded the payment of tribute in the amount of a tenth of all the riches that the Ryazan land possesses.

The prince immediately sent to Vladimir with a request for the help of his messengers. This city was ruled by George Vsevolodovich. However, he did not respond to the call. Then Yuri Ingvarevich called a council. He invited his brothers, as well as other princes, to him. The council had to decide how to mitigate the gifts of Batu, so that he did not go to war with the Russian lands.

Fedor does not submit to Batu

The Ryazan prince sent with the gifts of Fyodor, his son, to the Tatar khan. Batu took them and falsely promised not to start a war with Ryazan. For this he began to demand the daughters and sisters of princes in concubines. A nobleman of Ryazan, enraged by envy, informed the khan that Fedor Yurievich had a Ryazan spouse from the royal family. In addition, she is more beautiful than all other women in the city.

The godless Khan Baty turned to the prince with a demand to bring the princess to him. However, Fyodor Yurevich fearlessly answered him, saying that it is unfair for Christians to lead their wives to an ungodly king for fornication. Spouses of their Baty will own only when he can beat the Russians. Then the Khan ordered the soldiers to kill this rebellious prince, as well as all those who arrived with him. He ordered the bodies of the dead to be thrown at the wild beasts.

The death of the wife of Fyodor and his son

However, one of the approximate prince managed to survive. He secretly carried away Fyodor's body and betrayed him to the ground, after which he came to Princess Evpraksia, his wife, and told how her husband died. Having received such a sad news, the princess rushed down from the high tower and crashed to death. On her hands she held Ivan, her son, who also died.

Yuri Ingvarevich decides to rebuff the enemy

About the tragic events tells us "The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu." Heroes of the tale with all their might tried to fight the enemy. Yuri Ingvarevich, the Ryazan prince (Father Fyodor), having heard about what happened to his son, long grieved with his wife and relatives. The whole city was mourning the death of Fedor. Yuri Ingvarevich decided to take revenge on his enemies. He gathered an army. First of all, Yuri turned to God with prayer. He asked his help in destroying the enemies. After that, the prince turned to his soldiers. He told them that they received good from the Lord's hands, so it is worthwhile to suffer and evil. It is better to get to oneself eternal glory by death than to be in the power of the filthy. Yuri Ingvarevich said that he was ready to drink the death cup before everyone else for the Christian faith, for the churches of God and for the native land of Ingvar Svyatoslavich, the Grand Duke.

The Ryazan prince went to church and prayed here to Nicholas the Wonderworker, as well as to Boris and Gleb, who was a relative. Then he said goodbye to his wife and received a blessing from the priests. The prince went on a campaign against Baty's detachments.

The Battle of Yuri Ingvarevich with Batu

The battle took place at the Ryazan borders. She was merciless and long. A lot of Tatar warriors fell, and Baty was frightened.

However, his army was much larger than the troop of the Ryazan prince. The unknown author notes that the Batyov forces are great and unbeatable. So much so that one Ryazan had to fight with a thousand enemies, and two - with ten thousand. In this battle, both the Ryazan prince, his brothers, and many other warriors, the governor and princes were killed. However, not only this "The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu." The author writes that none of the Russian soldiers was afraid of death, did not turn back - that's what is important. And the invasion of Batu was for the sins of men by the will of God.

Oleg Ingvarevich, one of the prince's brothers, captured the Tatars alive. He was brutally wounded. At first, Batu wanted to save Oleg Ingvarevich life, if he accepts his faith. However, the prince refused this offer, calling the khan an enemy of Christianity and an atheist. Batu was furious. He ordered to cut to pieces Oleg Ingvarevich.

Batu conquers Russian cities

Khan went further along the Russian land. Detachments burned down cities and killed everyone without mercy. So Bel, Pronsk, Igeslavets were ruined. They were completely erased from the face of the earth - almost all the inhabitants of these cities were killed. And this misfortune happened for the sins of people.

How did Ryazan fall

Batu came under the walls of Ryazan with his army. He besieged the city. The battle lasted for five days. The warriors of the khan succeeded each other. Without rest the inhabitants of the city fought. Many of them were wounded, and many were killed. Early in the morning, at six o'clock, Baty's troops went to the city with stenobitnymi guns, with lights and countless staircases. December 21, they managed to take Ryazan.

The conquerors went to church. Here was the mother of the Ryazan prince, as well as other princesses. All of them were cut down by swords. Priests also died: someone from the swords of the enemy, and many were burned in the church. The population of the city was exterminated, including women and children. Some were drowned in the river, others were killed with weapons. Enemies destroyed Ryazan and burned the city. The unknown author notes that not a single living thing has remained in it. There was neither crying nor moaning. Everyone lay dead together. And the reason for all this is human sins.

Batu goes further with his troops. He goes to Vladimir and Suzdal, wants to conquer the entire Russian state, destroy churches and completely eradicate the Christian faith.

The brave squad of Evpatiy Kolovrat

Ingvar Ingvarevich, brother of the Ryazan prince, is at this time in Chernigov, and Evpatiy Kolovrat, a Ryazan nobleman, with him. They go to help the people of Ryazan, but they arrive late, when the city was already ruined. Evpatiy decides to gather an army and fight with the Tatars. He attacks Batu suddenly and fights so that "swords are blunt." The daring and courage of Russians, in particular Evpatia Kolovrat, amaze the enemy. Khostovrul, brother-in-law Batu, boasts that he will take Eupatia alive with his warriors. Kolovrat and Khostovrul converge in the duel. Russian hero "to the saddle" dissects half-brother Batu. The Tatars, however, manage to kill Kolovrat. But even the dead Evpaty they are afraid. The author notes that enemies feel respect for Russian brave men. But Batu says that if such a person as Kolovrat, served with him, he would bring him closer to himself.

Restoration of Ryazan

Approaching the finale "The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu". The main idea of the work, as you have already understood, is the glorification of the valor of the Russian soldiers.

Ingvar Ingvarevich mourns for his relatives, mother and brothers. He orders to find the corpses of Oleg Ingvarevich, Yuri Ingvarevich, Fedor Yuryevich, etc. With Christian honors, he bury the wife and son of Fedor. Ingvar Ingvarevich is now a Ryazan prince. He renovates the city: he builds new monasteries, churches, gathers people. "The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu," the summary of which you just read, ends with the fact that the Christians became joy, since God delivered them from the godless Batu.