About One Debatable Question of Ukrainian History of the 14th Century

Abstract

The major element of Mongolian epoch in the East Europe was obligation to pay a tribute — «vyhod». The historical consequences of the Koriatovych brothers’ rule from the end of the 40’s of the 14th century and the triumph of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the heading of the Lithuanian Prince Algirdas in the Syni Vody battle of the 1362 in Podolia have been examined. A conception has been argued according to which Podolian Principality at the time of the Koriatovych brothers’ rule was liberated from the Horde warriors. Based on the analysis of the documents, archaeological and numismatic sources a conception of the releasing on the great part of Podolian lands from the Golden Horde and stopping the tribute payment — «vyhod». Also, the terms «basqaq», «ataman», «toman», «gifts» and «commemoration» are discussed. The Koriatovych brothers’ rule on Podolian land and Syni Vody battle of the 1362 had led not only to the significant transformation of the tax-tribute system (Mongol tribute — «vyhod», «basqaqs» and etc.), but also had a great influence on the all processes in Central Ukraine and the Golden Horde in the second part of the 14th—15th centuries. Based on the analysis of the written and numismatic sources it is concluded that the equilateral heraldic shield with three beams on the first field and seven lilies on the second, on the Moldavian coins of Peter I Mușat (1375—1392) and Podolian coins of Koriatovych brothers’ of 1370—1380, there is a dynastic emblem of the Anjou family as a symbol of Hungarian kings of Louis the Hungarian (1342—1382) and Maria (1382—1387). However, these coins don’t have the Golden Horde symbols, as they were minted per sample of the European coins. The control of the trade routes in the Buh and Dnister rivers basins greatly reduced the economic resources of the Golden Horde and separate hordes of the Crimea, Western and Central Ukraine and Moldova. In the 14th century Kamianets and Smotrych were not only medieval capital towns of the Koriatovych brothers’, but also the most important centers on the international «tatar» trade route («Via Tatarica»). However, the most important routes functioned first of all between Galician and Podolian cites and also the Golden Horde centers in the Dnister and Southern Buh rivers basins.