.gif)
Siege of Kiev (1240)
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Kiev by the Mongols
took place between November 28th and December 6th, 1240, resulting in a Mongol victory. It was a heavy moral and military blow to Halych-Volhynia
and allowed Batu Khan
to proceed westward into Europe.
by conquering the northern principalities of Ryazan
and Vladimir-Suzdal
. In 1239, they advanced against southern Rus, capturing the cities of Pereyaslav and Chernihiv
.
When the Mongols sent several envoys to demand the city's submission, they were executed by Michael of Chernigov
and later Dmytro.
The next year, the Mongol general Batu Khan reached Kiev
. At the time, the city was ruled by the principality of Halych-Volhynia. The chief commander in Kiev was Dmytro, voivode of Danylo of Halych. The number of defenders inside the city was only about 1000. Danylo at that time was in Hungary seeking a military union to prevent invasion.
came near the city. Mongke was apparently taken by the splendor of Kiev and offered the city surrender, but his envoys were killed. The Mongol had no choice but assault. Batu Khan crushed the forces of the Rus vassals, the Chorni Klobuky
, who were on their way to relieve Kiev, and the entire Mongol army camped outside the city gates, joining Mongke's troops.
On November 28 the Mongols set up catapult
s near Kiev's Lech gates (one of the three gates of old Kiev), where tree cover extended almost to the city walls, and began a bombardment that lasted several days. On December 5th, Kiev's walls were breached, and hand to hand combat followed in the streets. The Kievans suffered heavy losses and Dmytro was wounded by an arrow.
When night fell the Mongols held their positions while the Kievans retreated to the central parts of the city. Many people crowded into the Church of the Tithes
. The next day, as the Mongols commenced the final assault, the church's balcony collapsed under the weight of the people standing on it, crushing many. After the Mongols won the battle, they plundered Kiev. Most of the population was massacred (out of 50 000 inhabitants before the invasion, 2000 survived). Most of the city was burned and only six out of forty major buildings remained standing. Dmytro, however, was shown mercy for his bravery.
After their victory at Kiev, the Mongols were free to advance into Halych-Volhynia
and Poland
.
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
took place between November 28th and December 6th, 1240, resulting in a Mongol victory. It was a heavy moral and military blow to Halych-Volhynia
Halych-Volhynia
The Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia or Kingdom of Rus or Galicia–Vladimir was a Ruthenian state in the regions of Galicia and Volhynia during 1199–1349. Along with Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal, it was one of the three most important powers to emerge from the collapse of Kievan Rus'...
and allowed Batu Khan
Batu Khan
Batu Khan was a Mongol ruler and founder of the Ulus of Jochi , the sub-khanate of the Mongol Empire. Batu was a son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan. His ulus was the chief state of the Golden Horde , which ruled Rus and the Caucasus for around 250 years, after also destroying the armies...
to proceed westward into Europe.
Background
In 1237, the Mongols began their invasion of RusRus' (region)
Rus' is an ethno-cultural region in Eastern Europe inhabited by Eastern Slavs. Historically, it comprises the northern part of Ukraine, the north-western part of Russia, Belarus and some eastern parts of Poland and Slovakia.The name comes from Old East Slavic , and remains the same in modern...
by conquering the northern principalities of Ryazan
Ryazan
Ryazan is a city and the administrative center of Ryazan Oblast, Russia. It is located on the Oka River southeast of Moscow. Population: The strategic bomber base Dyagilevo is just west of the city, and the air base of Alexandrovo is to the southeast as is the Ryazan Turlatovo Airport...
and Vladimir-Suzdal
Vladimir-Suzdal
The Vladimir-Suzdal Principality or Vladimir-Suzdal Rus’ was one of the major principalities which succeeded Kievan Rus' in the late 12th century and lasted until the late 14th century. For a long time the Principality was a vassal of the Mongolian Golden Horde...
. In 1239, they advanced against southern Rus, capturing the cities of Pereyaslav and Chernihiv
Chernihiv
Chernihiv or Chernigov is a historic city in northern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Chernihiv Oblast , as well as of the surrounding Chernihivskyi Raion within the oblast...
.
When the Mongols sent several envoys to demand the city's submission, they were executed by Michael of Chernigov
Michael of Chernigov
Saint Michael of Chernigov or Mikhail Vsevolodovich was a Rus' prince...
and later Dmytro.
The next year, the Mongol general Batu Khan reached Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
. At the time, the city was ruled by the principality of Halych-Volhynia. The chief commander in Kiev was Dmytro, voivode of Danylo of Halych. The number of defenders inside the city was only about 1000. Danylo at that time was in Hungary seeking a military union to prevent invasion.
The Siege
The vanguard army under Batu's cousin MongkeMöngke Khan
Möngke Khan , born Möngke, , was the fourth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from July 1, 1251 – August 11, 1259. He was the first Great Khan from the Toluid line, and made significant reforms to improve the administration of the Empire during his reign...
came near the city. Mongke was apparently taken by the splendor of Kiev and offered the city surrender, but his envoys were killed. The Mongol had no choice but assault. Batu Khan crushed the forces of the Rus vassals, the Chorni Klobuky
Chorni Klobuky
Chorni Klobuky were a group of semi-nomadic Turkic tribes that settled on the frontier between the Rus states and the Pechenegs during the 11th century and 12th century CE...
, who were on their way to relieve Kiev, and the entire Mongol army camped outside the city gates, joining Mongke's troops.
On November 28 the Mongols set up catapult
Catapult
A catapult is a device used to throw or hurl a projectile a great distance without the aid of explosive devices—particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines. Although the catapult has been used since ancient times, it has proven to be one of the most effective mechanisms during...
s near Kiev's Lech gates (one of the three gates of old Kiev), where tree cover extended almost to the city walls, and began a bombardment that lasted several days. On December 5th, Kiev's walls were breached, and hand to hand combat followed in the streets. The Kievans suffered heavy losses and Dmytro was wounded by an arrow.
When night fell the Mongols held their positions while the Kievans retreated to the central parts of the city. Many people crowded into the Church of the Tithes
Church of the Tithes
The Church of the Tithes or Church of the Dormition of the Virgin was the first stone church in Kiev. It was built by the order of Grand Prince Vladimir the Great between 989 and 996 by Byzantine and local workers to commemorate the Baptism of Kievan Rus' and was originally named the "Church of...
. The next day, as the Mongols commenced the final assault, the church's balcony collapsed under the weight of the people standing on it, crushing many. After the Mongols won the battle, they plundered Kiev. Most of the population was massacred (out of 50 000 inhabitants before the invasion, 2000 survived). Most of the city was burned and only six out of forty major buildings remained standing. Dmytro, however, was shown mercy for his bravery.
After their victory at Kiev, the Mongols were free to advance into Halych-Volhynia
Halych-Volhynia
The Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia or Kingdom of Rus or Galicia–Vladimir was a Ruthenian state in the regions of Galicia and Volhynia during 1199–1349. Along with Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal, it was one of the three most important powers to emerge from the collapse of Kievan Rus'...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.