The Russian Empire History Podcast

With the Prussian Crusade over, the Order immediately launches a new crusade against Lithuania.

By the end of the thirteenth century, the Teutonic Order has established Prussia and Livonia, new Catholic states running from Poland to Estonia.

Following the death of Mindaugas, Lithuania goes through a period of instability before beginning to annex Rus territory.

Khan Ozbeg changes his policy and makes Ivan of Moscow his man in the northeast.

Ozbek continues to interfere with the knyazes, and to secure his control over his other frontier regions.

Toghrilcha’s son returns to take the throne and make the Horde officially Muslim.

A new century finds Moscow and Tver ready to stake their claim.

And good riddance, most of the Rus would probably say. As Toqtoa defeats Nogay, Andrei continues trying to make himself a truly grand knyaz.

The last two decades of the thirteenth century is a time of turmoil for both the Great Horde and the knyazes of Suzdalia.

When the Great Horde integrated conquered peoples, it did not mean they had to become nomads.

Following the death of Berke, the Quriltai chooses Batu’s grandson Mongke Temur as the new khan.

As Hulegu’s stand off with the Horde continues, the first Muslim khan finds new allies in the Mamelukes.

In this episode, we begin a look at how the Ulus of Jochi developed into the Great Horde.

Aleksandr Nevsky is dead. His brother Andrey already blew his chance to succeed, but submission to the Mongols means the rules are changing.

Aleksandr has used the Mongols to claim his throne, now he has live with them.

Hero? Collaborator? Both? In 2008, Russians voted him their greatest historical hero, but does his life justify the acclaim?

We return to the Northeast to cover the succession to Vsevolod Big Nest, the struggle for Novgorod, and the arrival of the Mongols.

After decades fighting for his birthright, Daniil must face a new enemy.

Roman Mstislavich had united Volhynia and Galicia, but his early death leaves his kingdom open to Rus and foreign pretenders. It will take his son, Daniil, years to recover.