Muscovite-Lithuanian Wars
1492 CE to 1537 CE
The Muscovite-Lithuanian Wars, also known as the Russo-Lithuanian Wars, or just either Muscovite Wars or Lithuanian Wars, are a series of wars between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, allied with the Kingdom of Poland, and Grand Duchy of Moscow.
After several defeats at the hands of Ivan III and Vasily III, the Lithuanians are increasingly reliant on Polish aid, which eventually becomes an important factor in the creation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
In the first series of wars in the fifteenth century the Lithuanians gain control of a lot of Rus' territories, from Kiev to Mozhaisk, but over the course of the series of wars, particularly in the sixteenth century, the Russians are able to expand their domain westwards, taking control of much of the lands that were once part of Kievan Rus.
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Ivan III is the first Muscovite ruler to use the titles of tsar and "Ruler of all Rus'."
Ivan competes with his powerful north-western rival Lithuania for control over some of the semi-independent former principalities of Kievan Rus' in the upper Dnepr and Donets river basins.
Through the defections of some princes, border skirmishes, and a long, inconclusive war with Lithuania that ends only in 1503, Ivan III is able to push westward, and Muscovy triples in size under his rule.
Internal consolidation accompanies outward expansion of the state.
By the fifteenth century, the rulers of Muscovy considers the entire Russian territory their collective property.
Various semi-independent princes still claim specific territories, but Ivan III forces the lesser princes to acknowledge the grand prince of Muscovy and his descendants as unquestioned rulers with control over military, judicial, and foreign affairs.
The Muscovite-Lithuanian Wars, also known as the Russo-Lithuanian Wars, or just either Muscovite Wars or Lithuanian Wars, are a series of wars between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, allied with the Kingdom of Poland, and Grand Duchy of Moscow.
After several defeats at the hands of Ivan III and Vasily III, the Lithuanians are increasingly reliant on Polish aid, which eventually becomes an important factor in the creation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
In the first series of wars in the fifteenth century, the Lithuanians will gain control of a lot of Rus' territories, from Kiev to Mozhaisk.
The Russo-Swedish War of 1495–1497 is a result of an alliance between Ivan III of Russia and Hans of Denmark, who is waging war against the Sture family of Sweden in the hope of regaining the Swedish throne.
It is believed that Hans promised to concede some stretches of Finnish lands to the Russian monarch, although he does not bother to honor the agreement after he has been crowned King of Sweden at the close of the war.
Ivan III of Moscow has concluded an offensive alliance with John of Denmark and maintains regular correspondence with Emperor Maximilian I, who calls him a "brother".
He builds a strong citadel in Ingria named Ivangorod after himself, situated on the Russian-Estonian border, opposite the fortress of Narva held by the Livonian Confederation.
The further extension of the Moscow dominion had been facilitated by the death of Casimir IV in 1492, when Poland and Lithuania once again parted company.
In August 1492, Ivan III of Russia attacks Ukrainian territory held by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, launching what will become a series of Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars.
John I Albert becomes King of Poland while Alexander Jagiellon becomes Grand Duke of Lithuania.
The Muscovite army is successful in expanding into the Ukraine and a peace with Moscow, guaranteed by a marriage between Alexander and Helena, Ivan’s daughter, becomes a priority for Lithuania.
An "eternal" peace treaty is concluded on February 5, 1494.
The agreement marks the first Lithuanian territorial losses to Moscow: the Principality of Vyazma and a sizable region in the upper reaches of the Oka River—the lost area is estimated to be approximately eighty-seven thousand square kilometers (thirty-four thousand square miles).
A day after the official confirmation of the treaty, Alexander Jagiellon is betrothed to Helena (the role of the groom is performed by Stanislovas Kęsgaila).
Helena's Orthodox faith creates a number of complications.
Alexander has to receive a special permission from Pope Alexander VI to marry a non-Catholic and sign a formal agreement with Ivan III in October 1494 that Helena will not be forced to convert.
Alexander wants to add that if she wishes so herself, Helena can convert, but Ivan III adamantly rejects the amendment.
Ivan leaves Helena with detailed instructions on how to behave, who to invite for lunch, and where to pray (she is prohibited from visiting Catholic churches).
Ivan also requests that Alexander build an Orthodox church in Vilnius Castle Complex.
Moscow closes down the Hanseatic office in Novgorod in 1494.
Hanseatic merchants, most of them Livonians, are imprisoned.
The trade through Tallinn and Tartu diminishes significantly.
Alexander is a weak and lethargic prince so incapable of defending his possessions against the persistent attacks of the Muscovites that he had attempted to save them by a matrimonial compact.
However, the clear determination of Ivan to appropriate as much of Lithuania as possible, finally compels Alexander to take up arms against his father-in-law, renewing hostilities in May 1500, when Ivan III takes advantage of a planned Polish–Hungarian campaign against the Ottoman Empire.
While preoccupied with the Ottomans, Poland and Hungary will not provide assistance to Lithuania.
The pretext is the alleged religious intolerance to the Orthodox members of the Lithuanian court.
Helena is forbidden by her father Ivan III to convert to Catholicism and this provides numerous opportunities for Ivan III, as defender of all Orthodox, to interfere in Lithuanian affairs and rally Orthodox believers.
The Muscovites promptly overrun Lithuanian fortresses in Bryansk, …
…Vyazma, …
…Dorogobuzh, …
…Toropets, and …