Siege of Ryazan
Encyclopedia
Ryazan was the first Rus city to be besieged
by the Mongol invaders under Batu Khan
.
In the autumn of 1237 the Mongol Horde led by invaded the Rus' principality of Ryazan. The Prince of Ryazan, Yuriy Igorevich, asked Yuriy Vsevolodovich, the prince of Vladimir, for help, but did not receive any.
The Mongols defeated the vanguard of the Ryazan army and on December 16, 1237 besieged the capital of the principality (this site is now known as Old Ryazan, Staraya Ryazan, and is situated some 50 km from the modern city of Ryazan
). The townspeople repelled the first Mongol attacks. The Mongols then used catapult
s to destroy the city's fortification
s. On December 21, Batu Khan's troops stormed and plundered Ryazan. Nearly all of the city's inhabitants were killed. The writer of the Rus chronicle described the aftermath of the battle with the words "There was noone left to groan and cry". The city of Old Ryazan was completely destroyed and was never rebuilt.
After the destruction of Ryazan, Batu Khan's horde pushed on into the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal
.
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
by the Mongol invaders under 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...
.
In the autumn of 1237 the Mongol Horde led by invaded the Rus' principality of Ryazan. The Prince of Ryazan, Yuriy Igorevich, asked Yuriy Vsevolodovich, the prince of Vladimir, for help, but did not receive any.
The Mongols defeated the vanguard of the Ryazan army and on December 16, 1237 besieged the capital of the principality (this site is now known as Old Ryazan, Staraya Ryazan, and is situated some 50 km from the modern city 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...
). The townspeople repelled the first Mongol attacks. The Mongols then used 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 to destroy the city's fortification
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
s. On December 21, Batu Khan's troops stormed and plundered Ryazan. Nearly all of the city's inhabitants were killed. The writer of the Rus chronicle described the aftermath of the battle with the words "There was noone left to groan and cry". The city of Old Ryazan was completely destroyed and was never rebuilt.
After the destruction of Ryazan, Batu Khan's horde pushed on into the principality of 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...
.