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Kexholm War

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Kexholm War
Part of a series ofSwedish–Novgorodian Wars
Date1321-1323
Location
Result Treaty of Nöteborg
Territorial
changes
The border between Novgorod and Sweden is established
Belligerents
History of Sweden (800–1521)Sweden Novgorod Republic
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Knyaz Yuri
Juri Danielovitsch
Units involved
History of Sweden (800–1521)Viborg garrison Korela garrison
Strength
Unknown 6 battering rams
Casualties and losses
Heavy Heavy

TheKexholm War(Swedish:Kexholmskriget) was a short lived conflict between theNovgorod RepublicandSwedenspanning from 1321-1323. It ended with theTreaty of Nöteborgin which the border between the two countries was officially established for the first time.[1]

Map of Finland in 1323

Background[edit]

After the War of Deposition against Birger was over, the Swedes were once again able to resume their eastern policy with their military. SImultaneously, something had happened which made both Sweden and Novgorod want to make peace with the other. A possible reason is that the constant state of war was detrimental to trade in the region. At this time, theTeutonic Orderalso attacked Novgorod, which might have contributed to Novgorod wanting peace.[2]

War[edit]

1321-1322[edit]

ViborgandKorelafortress
Korela fortress in Priozersk (Käkisalmi)
Vyborg Castle, Leningrad oblast, Russia

In 1321, Novgorodian troops attacked Viborg, not much is known about the attack except that it ended in failure for the Novgorodians and they were forced to retreat.[2]In 1322, Knyaz Yuri arrived in Novgorod and ordered the people there to repair several battering rams,[3]while they were being repaired, the Swedes attacked Korela, but this expedition ended in failure.[2][4][5][6]

After this failure, Knyaz Yuri along with soldiers from Novgorod went to Viborg, and from the 12 August to 9 September they besieged it,[2]the Novgorodians rammed the walls with six battering rams since the fortress was very strong.[3][2]After they had broken into the town, the Novgorodians killed and hanged many of the people inside, with others being led to the low county.[3]After having laid siege to the fortress for a month, they assaulted it, but this ended in failure, and they were forced to retreat.[2][3][4]Despite the Novgorodians taking many prisoners, the fortress held strong.[6]

After the failed siege of Viborg, the Novgorodians were eager to make peace, since new problems had sprung up at their southern border.[1]

Jurij of Moscow (1303-1325)

1323 and peace[edit]

Any fighting in 1323 is unknown, but it is at this time that representatives from both Sweden and Novgorod sat down to discuss peace. The negotiations took place at the newly establishedNöteborg.The Swedish representatives wereErik Turesson,Hemming Ödgislesson, Peter Jonsson, and the priest Vämund. The Novgorodian representatives were very strong with thePrince of Novgorodhimself attending.[1]A certain Ludwig von Groten also acted as a mediator.[1]When the negotiations were finished, the first ever "eternal peace"[7]had been signed between Sweden and Novgorod, and the border was established for the first time in history.[2][1]

Aftermath[edit]

The Treaty of Nöteborg became a base of agreement between Sweden and Novgorod until theTreaty of Teusinain 1595, and all peace treaties until Teusina were listed as being additions of modifications of the aformentioned Treaty of Nöteborg.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdeSundberg, Ulf (1997).Svenska freder och stillestånd 1249-1814.Internet Archive. Hargshamn: Arete.ISBN978-91-89080-01-0.
  2. ^abcdefghSundberg, Ulf (1998).Medeltidens svenska krig[Swedish wars in the Middle ages] (in Swedish). Hjalmarson & Högberg. pp. 129–131.ISBN9789189080263.
  3. ^abcd"The Chronicle of Novgorod"(PDF).faculty.washington.edu.p. 122.
  4. ^abLind, John."The Russian-Swedish Border according to the Peace Treaty of Nöteborg (Orekhovets-Pähkinälinna) and the Political Status of the Northern Part of Fennoscandia'".Medieval Scandinavia.13– viaAcademia.edu.
  5. ^Yrjö-Koskinen, Sakari (1874)."48 (Finlands historia från den äldsta tiden intill våra dagar)".runeberg.org(in Swedish).Retrieved2024-05-21.
  6. ^abHarrison, Dick (2024-02-01).Fienden: Sverige och Ryssland från vikingatid till idag(in Swedish). Ordfront.ISBN978-91-7945-181-3.
  7. ^Harrison, Dick (2016-05-30)."Första fredsavtalet mellan svenskar och ryssar".Svenska Dagbladet(in Swedish).ISSN1101-2412.Retrieved2024-05-21.