Alexander Nevsky

c. 1221 – 14 November 1263

Alexander Nevsky was Prince of Novgorod and Grand Prince of Vladimir who became one of the most celebrated figures of medieval Rus. He won famous victories over Swedish invaders on the Neva River in 1240 and over the Teutonic Knights on frozen Lake Peipus in 1242, while pursuing a pragmatic policy of accommodation with the Mongol Golden Horde. He was later canonized as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Alexander Nevsky.

Life events

Born in Pereslavl-Zalessky
c. 1221

Alexander Yaroslavich was born around 1221, a son of Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich of the Rurikid dynasty.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Prince of Novgorod
1236

Alexander was installed as prince of the powerful merchant republic of Novgorod in 1236.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Alexandra of Polotsk
1239

Alexander married Alexandra, daughter of Prince Bryachislav of Polotsk, in 1239.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Victory at the Battle of the Neva
15 July 1240

Alexander defeated a Swedish force at the mouth of the Izhora River on the Neva, earning the epithet 'Nevsky'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Victory at the Battle on the Ice
5 April 1242

Alexander defeated the Teutonic Knights of the Livonian Order on the frozen surface of Lake Peipus, halting the crusaders' eastward expansion.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Traveled to the Golden Horde to receive Mongol confirmation
c. 1247

Alexander journeyed to the court of the Mongol khans, beginning a policy of cooperation with the Golden Horde to protect the lands of Rus.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Grand Prince of Vladimir
1252

With Mongol backing, Alexander was installed as Grand Prince of Vladimir, the senior prince of north-eastern Rus.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Took monastic vows shortly before death
November 1263

Returning ill from a journey to the Golden Horde, Alexander was tonsured as a monk under the name Alexius shortly before he died.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at Gorodets on the Volga
14 November 1263

Alexander Nevsky died on 14 November 1263 while returning from the Golden Horde; he was later canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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