Crusader

63-80

Authors: Roin Metreveli

The Crusades had a significant impact upon the fate of the Georgian state. The Georgian royal court used the Europeans’ undertakings to its own advantage. The Georgian king David IV the Builder (ruled from 1089 to 1125) was well-aware of objectives pursued by the Crusade wars. The ruler’s clever approach to laying out the nation’s policy, predicated upon the relevant characteristics of the then-existing international situation, resulted in the Crusades overpowering the might of the Seljuq Turks, which successfully facilitated the stepping-up of efforts to wage a war of liberation on the part of the Georgians. In the East, David IV the Builder was viewed as a protector of Christianity. He, concurrently, was seen as a ruler with a tolerant policy toward Moslems and firm ties with the Moslem world, which was due to a special state of affairs inside and outside Georgia. Thus, the link between the Kingdom of Georgia and the Crusades hinged on certain political circumstances. Among the rulers known to have had dealings with the Crusaders are George III (1156–1187), Tamar the Great (1181–1213), George IV Lasha (1213–1222), Rusudan (1223–1245), and some others. Some of the original sources, like letters from foreign kings, mention with great regard the name of George V the Brilliant (1314–1346), considered a eulogist of Jerusalem’s holy places and a mainstay of Christianity. His activities did not have a direct linkage with the Crusades but, nonetheless, were a continuation of the struggle of their ideology. The solicitude of the Kingdom of Georgia toward Christianity would, eventually, pay off by helping boost its prestige and ensure its high standing internationally.

88-94

Authors: Ruslan B. Gagua

The present article is devoted to life path of Knight Heinrich von Plotzke – one of the highest dignitaries of the Teutonic Order. According to the author, Heinrich von Plotzke played an important role in increasing the power of the state of the Teutonic Order in Prussia and distinguished himself as a manly warrior and a talented commander. Heinrich von Plotzke made a brilliant career in the Teutonic Order, starting to serve as an ordinary knight-brother and then at different times occupying the post of provincial commander, lend master in Prussia, Grand Commander and Grand Marshal. A significant part of his life Heinrich von Plotzke spent in battles and military campaigns. In Prussia, he participated in 15 military expeditions and 4 battles. He arrived to Prussia in the difficult times for the Crusader’s state and has achieved outstanding results in the solution of military issues that arose in this region. Heinrich von Plotzke managed to organize an effective system of a national defense. Heinrich von Plotzke can be attributed to a number of those historical persons who made a significant impact on the history of the Teutonic Order and the Baltic region.

101-111

Authors: Sergei L. Dudarev

The aim of the article is a representation of the main approaches to the study of the Crusades phenomenon in the Russian and foreign scientific thought of modern times. The author shows the reasons for the transformation of the views on the Crusades, aims to find their components. Attention is drawn to the way the Crusades are gradually beginning to be seen from an increasing number of angles, including the point of view of gender. At the same time, the article points out that the authors of a number of very voluminous and valuable works on the Crusades often avoid writing historiographical essays on the topic. In this sense, this article is a desire to fill this gap. The description of Crusades by European authors (including Russian ones) is usually one-sided, this movement is described by "the point of view of Europeans", while it’s time to fully take into account the views of the Muslim world on the Crusades. The author seeks to demonstrate that the study of the Crusades is increasingly losing "accusatory" or hypercritic color in modern times, which, however, still makes itself felt. The most promising is the approach, which considers the Crusades as an integration tool, an important means of getting to know East and West, although, of course, not without a number of negative circumstances.

4-36

Authors: Ruslan B. Gagua

The present article is devoted to the research of the war, conducted Lithuanian Duke Vytautas against Duke Skirgaila from 1390 to 1392, and determining the role of the Teutonic Order in that conflict. The author considers that civil war in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (1390–1392) possible to divide into three phases. The first phase of the conflict covers the period from January to April 1390. At that time, Vytautas does not own strategic initiative. He loses all his ownership in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, including his residence in the Grodno. The Polish garrisons posted to the castles of the Duchy by King of Poland. The second phase of the civil war covers the period from August 1390 until September 1391. At this stage, Vytautas began to use the military and diplomatic support of the Teutonic knights, West European cavaliers and Samogitians. He successfully attacked the castles and territory, controlled by Duke Skirgaila. The third phase lasts since the autumn of the 1391 to the summer of 1392. Vytautas obtains control over the lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania between the Neman River and the border of the Teutonic Order, protected by four powerful castles. The strategic initiative fully transferred into his hands. At fact, Skirgaila and Jagiello lost the war against Duke Vytautas and forced to sue for peace, making concessions. August 8, 1392 in the Manor Ostrov near Lida the Duke Vytautas conceded suzerainty of the King of Poland. This act put an end to the bloody war for legacy of the Duke Kęstutis. Vytautas got in possession his father’s patrimony Trakai and his former ownership – Lutsk, Brest and Grodno, becoming, along with Skirgaila one of the vicegerents of the Polish king in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Ostrov’s agreement became the first step towards the final approach Vytautas and Jagiello. This alliance united the Polish Crown and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the ensuing fight against the Teutonic Order and made possible to win this one of the largest medieval spiritual and chivalrous corporation.

43-53

Authors: Nikolas W. Mitiukov

The work analyzes the Spanish chronicles «The Success and Progress of the Holy League». It is shown that the military efforts of the Moscow state in Spain was seen as secondary. The information that reaches to Spain is very eclectic, and probably only on the level of rumors. From what we can make the assumption that direct diplomatic relations between Spain and Russia were not within the specified period. Assessment of the Russian-language historiography of the Crimean campaigns of Kniaz Golitsyn as a distraction substantial Turkish forces from the main theaters of hostilities is clearly exaggerated. If it is a distraction and took place, the Spaniards did not notice him. Overlooked the first Crimean campaign. The author is recognized for their help in preparing the material Antonio Erse Lizarraga (Cadiz, Spain).