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Hello, and welcome to the third installment of Tinto Flavour, the happy Fridays in which we look at the flavour content of the super secret Project Caesar! This week we will be traveling to the cold north, where the Sovereign Lord Republic of Velikiy Novgorod lies beside Lake Ilmen:
"Originally founded by Slav and Norse people as Holmgård, the 'new city' of Novgorod became the main political and economic center in the north of the lands inhabited by the Russian people. Fiercely independent, the Novgorodian council elects its Prince among neighboring rulers, although the true power is held by its people, who thrive thanks to the commercial routes linking the rich inland resource-gathering outposts with the Baltic and White Seas.
However, in recent decades, the war with Sweden has been almost a constant, nowadays halted after the creation of the buffer state of Oreshek. Meanwhile, to the south, Muscovy has become a dominant power, with the backing of the Golden Horde. The proud inhabitants of Novgorod may have to face difficult decisions at these crossroads."
Grand Prince Ivan Rurikovich I ‘Kalita’ of Muscovy is the Prince elected by the Council of Novgorod. As usual, please consider the UI, 2D and 3D art as WIP.
And here are the lands of Veliky Novgorod:
Today with a different camera angle!
This is the starting situation of Novgorod:
Pskov and Oreshek, the two first shown in the subject list, are vassals. The other subjects are pop-based tributaries; we need some work to make them visible on this screen. Besides that, Muscovy and the other countries with a similar color share a PU with Novgorod throughout their ruler, Ivan I.
Let’s now take a look at Novgorod itself. The first thing is the country's government type, which is a Republic. As per that, and Novgorod’s main culture belonging to the Russian culture group, two different things get unlocked. The first is a major government reform, the Veche Republic:
The second is this Age of Traditions advance:
This in turn unlocks the Veche Selection, a succession law that allows your country to select the ruler among neighboring countries:
You might have noticed that Estates are important and powerful in the governance of Novgorod. This is also reflected in the unique privileges it starts with, with 3 unique privileges for Nobility:
And one for Burghers:
There are also some unique policies. The first is for the Legal Code law:
And the second is for the Administrative System Law:
Novgorod also has some unique works of art, such as:
This will reappear later in this Tinto Flavour, keep an eye on it!
And a type of work of art that is unique to Orthodox and Miaphysite countries, the Icon:
Speaking of Orthodoxy, there’s some Orthodox-related stuff that I’m just going to tease, as we will talk in detail about this in a future Tinto Talks, like this Law available to all Orthodox countries:
Patriarchates, a concept that you will either love or hate as an Orthodox country!
Now let’s move into taking a look at some of the unique advances that are available to Novgorod:
The last one unlocks another unique government reform, after it has been researched during the Age of Renaissance:
Finally, let’s take a look at some of the events that Novgorod may get. The first appears early in the campaign, after an event that triggers to Sweden:
Shall we debate with Swedish about theology, or just forward them for a Byzantine debate?
Another one that may trigger early on is this one:
These Swedes are troublemakers!
This is an event you will get to expand the Cathedral of St. Sophia, with an option to start constructing a building on top of the WoA:
This is another event that you can get after 1400:
That will unlock a new government reform, that will replace the Veche Republic as your main government reform:
…And much more content will be available for Novgorod, but that’s all for today! I hope you enjoyed today’s Tinto Flavour, next week we will be taking a look at Mali, the land of Mansa Musa! Cheers!
Using this opportunity (since we're discussing Novgorod), I would like to explain why I believe Novgorod should definitely be considered part of the Tatar Yoke IO. As we know, Novgorod was not devastated by Batu Khan. Based on this, one might hastily conclude that Novgorod did not fall under the Golden Horde's control. I would like to prove that this is not the case. I will rely on the monograph "Essays on the History of Medieval Novgorod" (2008) by Yanin V. L.
[Очерки истории средневекового Новгорода (2008). Янин В. Л.]
A bit about the author:
Valentin Lavrentyevich Yanin (1929-2020) was a Soviet and Russian historian and archaeologist, who served as the head of the Novgorod Archaeological Expedition (1962-2020) and the Department of Archaeology at Moscow State University (1978-2016). He became a Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1966 and a full Academician in 1990. Yanin received his doctorate in Historical Sciences in 1963, became a professor in 1965, and published extensive works on medieval Russian history, focusing particularly on Novgorod through archaeological and historical research.
Most of my arguments are taken from the chapters:
Novgorod during the time of Alexander Nevsky [Новгород во времена Александра Невского]
Strengthening of boyar power in the second half of the 13th century [Укрепление боярской власти во второй половине XIII века]
Novgorod's defense system after the Mongol invasion [Система обороны Новгорода после монгольского нашествия]
I won't translate the quotes to English since most of them use Old Slavic language. But I will provide the general content in English for each quote.
Establishment of Tribute
The Golden Horde's first attempt to impose tribute on Novgorod occurred in 1257. Although this attempt was unsuccessful (Novgorodians managed to buy their way out with gifts), just two years later, in 1259, the second attempt was successful. Under pressure from the Horde's envoys Berkay and Kasachik, despite serious internal resistance ("there was great turmoil in Novgorod"), the city agreed to a census and began paying tribute:
В 1257 г. к новгородцам приходит весть о намерении татар возложить на них ордынскую дань: «прииде весть из Руси зла, яко хотять татарове тамгы и десятины на Новегороде; и смятошася люди черес все лето». По-видимому, в нежелании принять татарские требования новгородцы были поддержаны сыном Александра Невского, а также воеводой Александром.
Когда «тои же зимы приехаша послы татарьскыи с Олександром, а Василии побеже в Пльсков; и почаша просити послы десятины, тамгы, и не яшася новгородьци про то, даша дары цесареви, и отпустиша я с миромь, а князь Олександр выгна сына своего из Пльскова и посла в Низ, а Александра и дружину его казни: овому носа урезаша, а иному очи выимаша, кто Василья на зло повел». По этому поводу летописец замечает: «Всяк бо зло дея, зле да погибнеть».
В 1259 г. была предпринята еще одна попытка, на этот раз удавшаяся. Появление татарских послов было теперь предварено привезенной Михаилом Пинещиничем «из Низу» лживой вестью: «аже не имется по число, то уже полкы на Низовьскои земли». «Тои же зимы приехаша оканьнии татарове сыроядцы Беркаи и Касачик с женами своими, и инех много; и бысть мятежь велик в Новегороде, и по волости много зла учиниша, беручи туску оканьним татаром». Опасаясь физической расправы, послы потребовали у Александра охраны и пригрозили отъездом; «но чернь не хотеша дати числа». «Тогда издвоишася люди: кто добрых, тот по святои Софьи и по правои вере; и створиша супор, вятшии велятся ити меншим по числу. И хоте оканьнии побежати, гонимы Святымь Духомь; и умыслиша свет зол, како ударити на город на ону сторону, а друзии озеромь на сю сторону; и възбрани им видимо сила Христова, и не смеша». Новгород оказался на грани восстания, однако «заутра съеха князь с Городища, и оканьнии татарове с нимь; и злых [в Комиссионном списке: злыи их] светомь яшася по число: творяху бо бояре собе легко, а меншим зло. И почаша ездити оканьнии по улицам, пишюче домы христьянскыя: зане навел Бог за грехы наша ис пустыня звери дивия ясти силных плъти и пити кровь боярьскую; и отъехаша оканьнии, вземше число, а князь Олександр поеха после, посадив сына своего Дмитрия на столе».
Further Confirmations of Tribute Payment
A notable case occurred in 1269 during an anti-princely struggle. When Novgorodians attempted to expel Prince Yaroslav Yaroslavovich, he complained to the Golden Horde, claiming that Novgorod supposedly wanted to stop paying tribute. Only the diplomatic intervention of Kostroma Prince Vasily Yaroslavovich prevented a punitive campaign by Mengu-Timur's troops against the city.
В этой обстановке Ярослав обращается за помощью к татарам, клеветнически обвинив Новгород в отказе платить дань Золотой Орде. Только вмешательство костромского князя Василия Ярославича предотвратило поход на Новгород войск Менгу-Тимура. Ярослав Ярославич продолжает настаивать на своем полном согласии с требованиями новгородцев, которые в ответ формулируют главный принцип тех взаимоотношений с князем, к которому они стремятся: «Княже, сдумал еси на святую Софею; и ты поиди, дажь изомрем честно за святую Софею; у нас князя нету, нъ Бог и правда и святая Софея, а тебе не хощем».
Political Dependence
It's particularly important to note that Novgorod's dependence wasn't limited to just the economic sphere. After entering the Golden Horde's sphere of influence, Novgorod's political system became closely tied to the Horde's authority. Key evidence of this is the fact that Novgorodians began inviting princes who received the yarlyk (permission) for grand princedom from the khan.
В том же году политическая ситуация резко меняется, когда Дмитрий вновь получает у Ногая ярлык на великое княжение. Андрей Александрович спешит в Торжок, куда им вызван посадник Семен Михайлович «со всеми стареишими», и здесь заключается крестоцелование, «како Андрею не съступитися Новагорода, а новгородцом не искати иного князя; живот ли, смерть ли, новгородцом с Андреем».
За все время своего второго княжения князь Андрей был в Новгороде только два раза: в 1294 г. в связи с вокняжением и в 1301 г. в связи с походом новгородцев на только что построенный шведами Венец. Его приглашение в Новгород в 1294 г. произошло после получения ярлыка на великое княжение. В Новгороде от его имени правит его сын и наместник Борис Андреевич, упомянутый в летописи под 1299 г.
Внешний ход событий 1272 г. как будто возвращает нас в те времена, когда не существовало признания великокняжеского суверенитета, а приглашение князя осуществлялось по принципу «вольности в князьях». Однако в действительности борьба 1272 г. полностью основывается на принятии великокняжеского суверенитета как основы новгородского княжения. И Дмитрий, и Василий были законными наследниками власти умершего Ярослава.
A particularly telling case occurred in 1353 after the death of Semyon the Proud, when Novgorodians sent envoys to the Horde, asking them to give the yarlyk for grand princedom to the Prince of Suzdal. When the khan ignored this request and gave the yarlyk to Prince Ivan the Fair, it was he who became the Novgorod prince.
После смерти Семена Гордого в 1353 г. «послаша новгородци свои посол Смена Судокова ко цесарю в Орду, прося великого княжениа Костянтину князю Суздальскому; и не послуша их цесарь и дашеть Ивану князю Ивановичю великое княжение. И пребыша без мира новгородци с великим князем полтора года, нь зла не бысть никакого же».
Nevertheless, it should be noted that there were cases when Novgorodians supported a prince who had not yet received a yarlyk, was only a pretender to the yarlyk, or had already lost the yarlyk. Our author understands and takes this into account. But having a yarlyk for grand princedom was certainly of key importance in the election of a Novgorod prince. And when conducting their politics, Novgorodians had to base their decisions on this fact. This once again points to their dependence on the Golden Horde and the khan, whom the Novgorodians called tsar.
Политика посадничества в этот период руководствуется идеей поддержания великокняжеского суверенитета над Новгородом. Однако было бы неверно представлять новгородскую правящую верхушку той поры неким смотрителем за правильностью работы механизма, автоматически сменяющего новгородских князей по мере утраты ими великокняжеского ярлыка. Напротив, мы видели, что всякий раз возникает готовность боярства пойти на сделку с князем. В 1280–1281 гг. новгородцы некоторое время поддерживают Дмитрия, уже потерявшего великое княжение. В 1283 г. они даже целуют крест Андрею сохранить ему верность при любом повороте событий. Эта готовность идти на сделку с князем в тот момент, когда он особенно нуждается в новгородской поддержке, весьма знаменательна и говорит о существовании у новгородского боярства особых целей, которые связываются с намерением иметь на столе князя, обязанного своим положением Новгороду.
Author's TLDR
From the chapter "Instead of Conclusion. History of Novgorod in the Briefest Essay" [Вместо заключения. История Новгорода в самом сжатом очерке ]:
At the same time, the Mongol-Tatar invasion did not pass without consequences for Novgorod. The system of traditional trade and cultural ties with the Russian principalities lying in ruins was broken. Stone church construction ceased for sixty years. Only in 1302 did the construction of a stone kremlin begin at the site of the ancient wooden one. The mode of relations between boyar Novgorod and the princes changed substantially. If previously these relationships were based on the principle of "freedom in princes," now Novgorodians automatically recognized as their prince whoever the Golden Horde khans confirmed as the head of Russian princes ("grand prince"). However, since the grand prince's main field of activity remained outside Novgorod, he began to be represented by appointed princely deputies. Thus, the grand prince's participation in Novgorod affairs was reduced to a minimum, thereby strengthening the boyar republican system. The last prince who more or less regularly visited Novgorod was Alexander Nevsky's grandson, Yury Danilovich.
At minimum, Novgorod must definitely be included in the Tatar Yoke IO. Additionally, we could introduce some gameplay mechanics for Novgorod. That at the start of the game, the prince who receives the great yarlyk for princedom from the khan (Grand Prince in Tatar Yoke IO) automatically becomes the Prince of Novgorod. However, Novgorod could later, through its own efforts, return to the system of choosing princes. As it happened historically.
Or the Grand Prince in Tatar Yoke IO could simply have additional weight when being elected to the Novgorod throne. And other pretenders would have to invest significant effort to outweigh this passive bonus.
P.S.
Ludi et Historia in his video said that he does not believe that Novgorod should fully join the Tatar Yoke IO, because then it would join the other Russian principalities in the war against the Golden Horde for liberation from tribute, which would make the process quite simple.
In this regard, I just wanted to note that Yanin V. L. believes that in reality Novgorod participated in the Battle of Kulikovo together with other Russian principalities. As proof, he says:
There is a long-standing historiographical confidence in the non-participation of the Novgorodians in the Battle of Kulikovo Field. Meanwhile, in the synodicon of the Novgorod Borisoglebsk Church, there is a commemoration of the residents of Novgorod who perished on the Don under Grand Prince Dmitry Ivanovich. It is also known that the following year after the victory over Mamai, a stone church of St. Demetrius was laid in Novgorod on Slavkova Street, and in 1382 it was completed.
Политика поддержки Дмитрия Ивановича продолжается и в 1380 г., когда новгородцы настояли на поездке владыки Алексея в Москву, где Дмитрий «к Новугороду крест целовал на всеи старине новгородчкои и на старых грамотах». Существует давняя историографическая уверенность в неучастии новгородцев в битве на Куликовом поле. Между тем в синодике новгородской Борисоглебской церкви записано поминание о жителях Новгорода, погибших на Дону при великом князе Дмитрии Ивановиче. Известно также, что на следующий год после победы над Мамаем в Новгороде была заложена, а в 1382 г. окончена строительством каменная церковь святого Дмитрия на Славкове улице.
This information is also taken from the chapter:
Novgorod's defense system after the Mongol invasion [Система обороны Новгорода после монгольского нашествия]
For this reason and all the reasons above, it seems to me that the inclusion of Novgorod in the Tatar Yoke IO is quite justified. And other gameplay mechanics should ensure the stability of this international organization, and the impossibility for the Russian principalities to declare war for liberation from tribute too early.
You can, yes. This is because I was playing the mode with the 3D map, which has a different camera angle compared to the flatmap mode that I used to show in Tinto Maps.
Technically, yes, but we need to add the 'Republic' to the country name to make it working fully correctly as we want. So it's a decent trade-off between flavour and gameplay, I'd say.
You can, yes. This is because I was playing the mode with the 3D map, which has a different camera angle compared to the flatmap mode that I used to show in Tinto Maps.
Besides being a neighbor, is there a limit to the ruler you can select? For example, that they belong to an East Slavic culture? Or can you, for example, invite the Swedish king or a Tatar Khan to become your Grand Prince? Also, can that ruler refuse the title? If so, is there any reason they may want to do so?
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